Der Chirurg; Zeitschrift für alle Gebiete der operativen Medizen
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The improvement of surgical and nonsurgical approaches to control bleeding offers new strategies for overcoming coagulopathy. Massive hemorrhage is usually caused by a combination of surgical and coagulopathic bleeding. ⋯ However, the transfusion of red blood cells has been shown to be associated with post-injury infection and multiple organ failure. Therefore it is crucial to develop a clear strategy for correcting coagulopathy, preventing exsanguination, and minimizing the need for blood transfusion.
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A hemodynamically stable patient presenting with persistent bleeding through his chest tube (ICD) is a classic indication for early thoracoscopic intervention in trauma. The source of bleeding and air leaks can be identified and often treated: bleeding and perforated pulmonary segments can be resected, and chest wall bleeding may be coagulated or sutured. Injuries to the diaphragm are difficult to diagnose, as they might not be seen in conventional trauma imaging without gross herniation of intra-abdominal contents into the thoracic cavity. ⋯ Correct placement of the drainage is part of optimized therapy, along with inspection of all intrathoracic organs and surfaces. Furthermore, surgical and anaesthesiological teamwork and experience are prerequisites for the fast, professional application of a minimally invasive thoracoscopic approach in chest trauma patients. Diagnostically and theurapeutically, thoracoscopy plays an important role in the trauma setting--in the case of hemodynamically stable patients.
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With increasing experience in minimally invasive surgery, laparoscopy's role in abdominal trauma can be defined exactly. Main exclusion criteria are hemodynamic instability and increased intracranial pressure. A literature review of 1996 to 2006 reveals perforating injury mainly of the left thoracoadominal area as the most important indication for laparoscopy. ⋯ In this, sensitivity is only 25%. In case of proven lesions of the gastrointestinal tract, conversion to laparotomy is to be considered. Despite the reports on laparoscopic treatment, open repair of hollow organ injuries is still to be recommended.
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Life-threatening complex pelvic fractures are commonly associated with vast peripelvine soft-tissue injuries and hemorrhage. Correct assessment and classification of the existing pelvic trauma and additional severe injuries present is required for accurate diagnosis and effective therapy. Treatment of the usually multiply injured patient is time-sensitive. ⋯ Emergency stabilization of an initially unstable pelvic ring should be done first, followed by an extraperitoneal tamponade, if needed to control bleeding. The positive results of these actions can be measured by hemodynamic parameters. Delayed definitive internal stabilization of the anterior and/or posterior pelvic ring is then performed according to the fracture classification.
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The integration of multislice CT (MSCT) in the imaging of emergency trauma has led to a paradigm shift in trauma management. In case of hemodynamically instable patients, initial imaging is limited to a small set of standardized radiographs. Computed tomography is the imaging modality of choice for further diagnostic work-up. ⋯ There is increasing support for primary use of MSCT in critically ill patients due to the comprehensive imaging it allows while maintaining a fast scan time. The potential and limitations of diagnostic imaging in pelvic ring fracture and associated injuries are explained. Indications for vascular interventions in arterial bleeding are discussed.