Trauma case reviews Lisa Yosten MD, FACEP Assistant Medical Director, Emergency Department Director of EMS Case #1
EMS bringing “stab wound” to abdomen, 2 am “10 inch knife” Full trauma alert activated 25 y/o hispanic male stabbed left lower flank and left upper quadrant, intoxicated GCS 14, verbalizing, not cooperative. VS: 90, 140/80, 26, 95% RA Physical exam: 2 lacerations, 4-5 cm each, oozing mid axillary line, 9-10th intercostal space Left upper quadrant Case #1
Physical exam Lungs slightly diminished on left 2+ pulses in extremities Abdomen: tense, firm, difficult to determine tenderness due to patient’s intoxication Back: no evidence of injury Treatment IV’s placed, NS bolus started FAST exam (focused abdominal sonography in trauma) performed by ER physician: questionable for fluid around liver Stab wound to abdomen
Stab wound to abdomen
Vitals stable after primary, secondary survey, airway intact Portable chest x-ray: small pneumothorax on left with small pleural effusion CT scan chest/abdomen/pelvis: 9th left rib fracture, hemothorax and 20% left pneumothorax, perforation of colon, pneumoperitoneum, hemoperitoneum Labs: Bicarbonate 21, glucose 108, creatinine 1.3, EtOH 148, HGB 12.6, UA neg, drug screen neg. INR normal. Decision to proceed to OR
Stab wound to abdomen OR management
Left chest tube placement for hemo/pneumothorax
Exploratory laparotomy Stab wound through transverse colon-partial colectomy with anastamosis Control of mesenteric vascular bleeding Repair of left hemidiaphragm laceration
Patient stabilized
Post operative complication: Infection in pleural fluid (empyema) Leaking from colon anastomosis Back to OR for iliostomy Requiring TPN Massive transfusion ATLS: stab wounds to abdomen
Most commonly affected organs Liver (40%) Small bowel (30%) Diaphragm (30%) Colon (15%)
Most commonly affected organs with GSW to abdomen Small bowel (50%) Colon (40%) Liver (30%) Abdominal vascular structures (25%)
OR or not??
History, knife length? Exam: signs of peritonitis? Vitals: Hypotensive? FAST exam positive? DPL (diagnostic peritoneal lavage) positive? Stable patient, CT findings? Stabbing to back/flank less likely to have to go to OR due to deep muscle presence. OR guidelines
98% of GSW to abdomen require laparotomy
60% of stab wounds that penetrate anterior peritoneum have hypotension, peritonitis, or evisceration of omentum and/or small bowel that would necessitate going to OR for exploratory laparotomy. Evisceration Abdominal trauma: OR guidelines
Blunt abdominal trauma with hypotension and positive FAST with evidence of intraperitoneal bleeding Blunt or penetrating abdominal trauma with positive DPL Hypotension with penetrating abdominal wound GSW transectiong peritoneal cavity or visceral/vascular retroperitoneum Evisceration Bleeding from stomach, rectum or GU tract from penetrating trauma Abdominal trauma: OR guidelines
Peritonitis
Free air, rupture of hemidiaphragm
CT positive for ruptured GI tract, intraperitoneal bladder injury, renal pedicle injury, or severe solid organ injury
Case #2
27 y/o male transferred from critical access hospital by Life net with left hand amputation Right hand dominant Amputation at wrist by wood cutter PMH/PSH: none. SH: positive for smoking VS : 151/98, 98.7, 94, 22, 96% on 2 liters nasal cannula IV present in right arm: 300 mcg Fentanyl, 4mg IV Zofran, 2 grams IV Ancef, Versed, 1 liter NS bolus Tetanus up to date Tourniquet removed in ER: no active bleeding Hand surgeon consult: To OR Hand amputation OR
Reimplantation of hand Proximal row carpectomy Fasciotomies Reattachments of tendons, nerves, blood vessels
Back to OR following day for left ulnar artery thrombosis.
Hospitalized for 2 weeks
Amputations
If transferring a patient with amputated part Stop bleeding Direct pressure is favored over tourniquet IV for pain control, antibiotics Tetanus updated if needed Judicious IVF (more IVF, more bleeding) Make NPO Send the detached part wrapped in gauze and “on ice”, not “in ice” Tissue survival time 6 hours if not cooled, 12 hours if cooled Reattachment procedures
Factors favoring successful reattachment Multiple fingers involved and/or thumb of dominant hand Younger patient without co-morbidities Nonsmoker Clean severed amputated part vs. tearing or crushed tissue Steps in Reattachment
X-raying and cleaning amputated part Debriding dead tissue Tagging nerves, blood vessels, and tendons with special surgical clips Trimming bone from amputated part, fixing it with K-wires, and stabilizing it to extremity Repair flexor and extensor tendons Repair lacerated arteries, veins and nerves Use of vein grafts for blood vessels that cannot be reattached Splint the extremity and elevate
Following reattachment
Constant monitoring of tissue perfusion Medications may be used to increase blood flow, reduce anxiety, and for anti-coagulation Long term PT/OT Success Good nerve recovery >50% ROM of joint Acceptable cosmetic results Most likely will have cold intolerance in extremity
Complications
Poor perfusion to reattached part
Infection
Need for further surgeries due to adhesions, scarring, infection, poor circulation
Case #3
31 y/o male transferred after fall from zip line, 41 feet into 6 feet of water, landing on buttocks. No LOC. Pt c/o left hand, wrist and buttock pain BLS transport with cervical and T/L/S immobilization PMH: Lumbar fracture with surgery after MVC rollover Lawnmower injury with traumatic right great toe amputation SH: positive for alcohol (8 beers) Fall from height Case #3
ED arrival 1730 128/90, 89, 16, 95% on RA GCS 15, Awake, Oriented x 3 Fully immobilized on backboard with cervical collar Chest wall abrasions on exam and pelvic tenderness but no instability Normal neurological and vascular exam No abdominal tenderness, FAST exam negative No cervical, TLS tenderness Case #3
IVF, Morphine 4mg IV x 4, Fentanyl 100mcg, Zofran 4mg IV, tetanus updated, Rocephin 1 grams
Xrays Left hand/wrist: positive for angulated and shortened distal radius fracture, comminuted distal phalanyx 4th finger Pelvis: superior right pubic rami fracture extending into right acetabulum Chest: patchy opacities middle lobe and left lung base Cervical/TLS spines: negative
Acetabular fracture Distal radius/ulna fracture Case #3
CT abdomen/pelvis: inferior left kidney laceration with hematoma surrounding, pubic rami fractures with adjacent hematomas, right medial acetabular fracture, fracture and left SI joint involving the lateral sacrum medial ilium
CT chest: pulmonary contusions
CT head: mildly displaced fracture inferolateral wall left maxillary sinus
CT cervical: negative for fracture
Case #3
Left wrist fracture splinted 1900 decision to transfer to UNMC for trauma Life net unable to fly Ground transport arranged Ground transport cancelled as UNMC Life Net to fly 2015 Life net lands and pt transferred to UNMC (2 hours 45 minutes in ER) Decision to transfer Acetabular fracture Multi-organ system trauma Repair of acetabular fracture Case #3
UNMC follow up Pt went to surgery for ORIF of wrist fracture Admitted five days, discharged home Pelvic fractures non-operative Non-weight bearing right lower extremity and weight bearing as tolerated for left lower extremities for transfers only Wheelchair Also found to have Grade 1 spleen and liver lacerations managed non-operatively
Pelvic Fractures
Types Closed fracture Lateral compression 60-70% frequency MVC Falls Internal rotation of involved hemipelvis Pelvic volume decreased so life-threatening hemorrhage not common Open book fracture Anterior-Posterior compression (15-20%) Auto-pedestrian collision Motorcycle crash Direct crush injury to pelvis Fall from > 12 feet
Pelvic fractures
Open book pelvic fracture Disruption of symphysis pubis, tearing of posterior ligaments represented by sacroiliac fracture Opening of ring can lead to hemorrhage from pelvic venous complex and/or internal iliac artery Sheet or pelvic binder recommended for unstable pelvis fracture Vertical shear fracture 5-15% frequency High energy force in vertical plane Major pelvic instability Most likely from fall from significant height Anatomy of pelvic bones Closed pelvic fracture Open book pelvic fracture Open book pelvic fracture Vertical shear Decision tree
Embolization of pelvic vessels Embolization of pelvic vessels
Overall, 7-11% of pelvic fractures will require embolization
Lateral compression fractures 2% need embolization due to arterial injury
Open book (anterior-posterior compression), vertical shear or combined fractures 20% require embolization Transfer to trauma hospital
Significant resources required to care for patients with severe pelvic fractures
Early consideration of transfer to trauma center is essential Trauma orthopedics Interventional radiology Multi-specialty as high likelihood of other injuries Case #4
87 y/o female, chief complaint “weakness” brought to ER by family Symptoms x 3 days. Initially strained hip getting into car, left hip/leg pain Today, fell forward from swivel chair, caught arms and landed prone. No head injury LOC Feels dizzy and weak since, questionable syncope for several seconds at home today Difficulty with speech, slurred and expressive aphasia PMH: chronic atrial fibrillation, diabetes, HTN remote breast cancer
Case #4
Medications Coumadin among many others
ER 130/66, 98, 70, 20, 100% RA c/o 10/10 hip/leg pain
Exam No obvious head injury No cervical spine or TLS tenderness Lungs clear Heart irregular rhythm, rate normal 70, no murmur Extremities: mild left ankle tenderness, no swelling; left hip tender and pain with ROM of leg. No pain with internal/external rotation. Normal pulses
Case #4
Neurological: Awake and alert, sleepy but would wake easily Rectal: grossly guaiac positive Labs Hgb 8.8, Creat 1.6, Gluc 380, LFT’s 2-3 x normal, INR no clot detected (INR > 18) X-ray pelvis and left hip: normal X-ray left ankle: avulsion fracture off medial malleolus CT head: large left subdural hematoma with midline shift
Subdural Hematomas Ipsilateral dilated pupil: herniation Case #4
IV Morphine 2mg, Zofran 4mg given
Pt with slurred speech, more sedate
INR > 18, hgb 8.8 and grossly guaic pos stool (GI bleeding)
Vitamin K 10mg IV
FFP 4 units
Transfer to neurosurgical center: UNMC Burr Hole for evacuation Burr Hole for evacuation Craniotomy Indications for Head CT in trauma
Altered level of consciousness
Neurological signs Severe headache, persistent vomiting, numbness, weakness on one side, slurred speech, facial droop
Mental status difficult to evaluate Anesthesia, drug and alcohol intoxication, young children
Low index of suspicion in elderly patients with minimal trauma and on anticoagulants
FRHS warfarin reversal protocol
INR 5-9 without bleeding Vitamin K (Mephyton) 2.5mg PO once INR > 9 without bleeding Vitamin K (Mephyton) 5mg PO once Perioperative Non-Urgent Vitamin K 10mg IV once Life Threatening bleeding, add Kcentra INR 2 -<4: Kcentra (prothrombin complex concentrate) 25 units/kg IV once INR 4-6: Kcentra 35 units/kg IV once INR >6: Kcentra 50 units/kg IV once KCentra
Contains Vitamin K dependent coagulation factors II, VII, IX, and X (prothrombin complex) and the antithrombotic Protein C and Protein S.
Made specifically to reverse warfarin in patient with acute major bleeding
FDA approval randomized controlled trial FFP and Vitamin K Kcentra and Vitamin K KCentra
More likely to stop acute bleeding at 24 hour endpoint (72.4% of Kcentra vs 65% FFP) Faster reduction of INR (down 1.3 in 30 minutes in 62% of patients vs. 9.6% of FFP patients) Kcentra infusion produced a rapid and sustained increase in plasma levels of clotting factors within 30 minutes post treatment with 87% less volume than FFP. Common reactions: Headache, nausea/vomiting, arthralgia, hypotension. Most severe is thrombotic events (CVA,PE,DVT) Case #4 outcome
Transfer UNMC Neurosurgery consulted Reversal of warfarin coagulopathy Non-operative management of SDH MRI brain showed midbrain CVA Orthopedics Ankle fracture nonoperative GI consulted due to high bilirubin CT abdomen showed pancreatic mass, ERCP performed, biopsy done and stent placed Patient discharged to skilled nursing facility
Case #5
40 y/o female pedestrian struck
Walking on side of county road, arguing with significant other. S.O. had parked car in middle of road. Car coming up behind them swerved to miss head on collision with parked car and hit patient. Pt was pinned under front passenger tire, laying prone. Right front tire was between her legs and left leg under engine block. Chest/abdomen was pinned under bumper. + LOC. Life net unable to fly to scene. BLS tiered with NFD ALS service.
Case #5
C-collar, backboard IV placed. Fentanyl given prehospital. VS: 122/76, 98, 23, 95% on RA Pt awake and alert, mildly confused. GCS 14 Exam: HEENT: no scalp swelling, laceration. Left periorbital bruising. PERRLA 3mm bilaterally. Airway intact. Teeth decayed Neck : in collar. NO c-spine tenderness Case #5
Respiratory: lungs clear
CV: RRR, Lungs clear bilaterally
Abdomen: diffusely tender, no rebound/guarding
Rectal: decreased tone, no blood
MS: Midline and paraspinal lumbar tenderness, abrasion over lumbar spine. No pelvic tenderness
Skin: 2cm left arm laceration, linear. 3rd degree linear burn on left lower extremity (2% BSA)
Neuro: GCS 14. Alert. Disoriented to time. Short term memory loss. Both legs flaccid. Absent DTR’s patella. Sensory deficit to umbilicus. Pedestrian Struck
IVF, Fentanyl, zofran, tetanus, monitor
FAST exam negative in ER
Labs: drug screen pos meth, HGB normal
X-ray C-spine lateral: neg to C7. posterior emphysema in neck Pelvis: no fracture Chest: Extensive emphysema in superior mediastinum, neck, chest wall bilaterally. No PTX appreciated Lumbar (one view, cross table lateral): no fracture
Pedestrian struck
Consult to trauma center Suspected pulmonary contusions vs. pneumothorax Suspected spinal cord injury Suspected head injury Multi-organ system trauma plus third degree burn
Patient transferred by Life Net to UNMC Subcutaneous emphysema Dermatomes: Spinal Cord Full thickness burn Pedestrian struck
Transfer to UNMC Findings: T 10/11 dislocation resulting in paraplegia Taken to OR for T8-L1 spinal fusion and open reduction of T 10/11 dislocation Bilateral rib fractures and pneumothoraces requiring chest tube placement 4th degree burns to left leg requiring debridement To follow up later regarding skin grafting Grade 1 thoracic aortic injury Nonoperative
Pedestrian struck
Multiple facial fractures Nonoperative Left posterior acetabular fracture Nonoperative due to paralysis and non weight bearing Grade II spleen laceration and Grade III liver laceration, bilateral renal infarcts and adrenal hemorrhage Received multiple blood transfusions but remained stable thus nonoperative Pedestrian struck
Admitted 5/28-6/26/14
Transferred to Madonna for acute rehab Thoracic aortic injury
Blunt trauma Rapid deceleration by history
Complete aortic transection = death at scene
Partial transections Control blood pressure Identify other causes of hypotension/bleeding Surgical repair if actively bleeding Chest x-ray findings
Wide mediastinum (> 8 cm at aortic arch) Obliteration of aortic knob Deviation of trachea to right Depression of left mainstem bronchus Deviation of esophagus to right Left apical/ pleural cap Left hemothorax Fractures of 1st or 2nd rib or scapula Normal chest x-ray Suspicious for aortic injury Aortic injury
Chest x-ray findings 40-60% sensitive and specific
Chest CT 97-100% sensitive 83-99% specific Chest CT Types of injury Management
Full thickness tear and are hemodynamically unstable Chest tube placement with large volume blood loss Over 1500 cc initially or 200 cc/hour x 2 hours of ongoing loss Indication for thoracotomy Evaluation for other injuries causing blood loss Abdominal or pelvic trauma
Partial thickness tear Minor injuries such as small intimal flaps or small pseudoaneurysms are managed nonoperatively Blood pressure control < 120 systolic
References
Encyclopedia of Surgery. Finger Reattachment. Web site
Trauma.org: Permissive Hypotension. Barry Armstrong. 10/02
Trauma.org: Chest Trauma: Traumatic Aortic injury
Advanced Trauma Life Support. American College of Surgeons. 9th edition. 2012