The acute abdomen is defined as undiagnosed pain that develops suddenly and is less than 7 days in duration. I Physiology of Abdominal Pain A Visceral Pain Visceral or intestinal contraction, spasm, stretching, distention, or chemical irritation results in visceral…
Care of the neurotrauma patient involves evaluation of injuries to the cranium, spine, peripheral nerves, or often a combination thereof. Rapid evaluation and decisive intervention are essential to significantly reduce the risk of morbidity and mortality. After stabilizing the airway,…
Each year, approximately 1 million people in the United States sustain burn injuries. Sadly, more than 90% of these injuries are preventable, many of which are related to smoking and substance abuse. Fortunately due to advances in burn care, as…
Investigation for extremity injuries is a critical portion of the trauma evaluation. During these examinations, the surgeon must look for fractures, dislocations, soft tissue damage, vascular injuries, and neurologic deficits. Upon completion of the tertiary survey, the patient should have…
No new method and no new discovery can overcome the natural difficulties that attend a wound of the heart. James Paget, 1896 I Epidemiology of Thoracic Trauma A Thoracic Trauma Thoracic trauma ranks third in incidence behind head and extremity…
I Pathophysiology 1. Significant blunt force, deceleration, and penetrating wounds should be considered to have intraperitoneal injuries until ruled out by further diagnostic evaluation. 2. The abdominal cavity can hold a significant amount of blood without obvious signs, so a…
Push it. Examine all things intensely and relentlessly. Annie Dillard I Epidemiology A Mortality Trauma is the third leading cause of death in the United States for all ages and the leading cause of deaths in persons younger than 45…
Development in most fields of medicine appears to occur according to sound scientific principles. However, exceptions can be found, and the development of mechanical ventilatory support is one of them. J. Rasanen The goal of mechanical ventilation is to facilitate…
In the event of a cardiac arrest, the first procedure is to take your own pulse. Samuel Shem The goal of cardiopulmonary monitoring is to assess the adequacy of the cardiac and pulmonary systems in meeting the metabolic needs of…
The person, although severely injured, congratulates himself upon having made an excellent escape, and flatters himself that he is not only in no danger, but that he will soon be well; in fact, to look at him one would hardly…