The thorax consists of the chest wall comprising the sternum, ribs, and thoracic vertebrae; the mediastinum containing the pericardium, heart, esophagus, trachea, great vessels, thoracic duct, and thymus; and the paired pleural cavities containing the lungs. This chapter will discuss…
Structural mobility and elasticity are characteristics of the upper airway that make injury to these structures infrequent. Skeletal protection is also provided anteriorly by the mandible and sternum and posteriorly by the bony spinal column ( Fig. 1 ). Upper…
Over the past decade, a wealth of studies has provided the scientific rationale to warrant the early screening and preemptive antithrombotic management of blunt cerebrovascular injuries (BCVIs). In the 1990s, BCVIs were thought to have unavoidable, devastating neurologic outcomes, but…
The neck has been a source of tremendous interest in the trauma surgical literature for several hundred years. Its anatomic compactness places vital anatomic structures in close proximity to each other, making the patient prone to multisystem injuries as the…
Trauma surgeons and emergency physicians are frequently confronted with evaluating and managing severe eye injuries, most of which will require immediate consultation and referral to an ophthalmologist. Herein, we describe the breadth and depth of traumatic ocular emergencies that may…
Maxillofacial trauma is frequently encountered by both trauma and plastic surgeons but fortunately rarely results in fatality. Maxillofacial trauma is readily apparent upon arrival to the emergency room. Such injuries should not be a distraction to the surgeon during initial…
Spinal cord injury (SCI) is a traumatic event that causes transient or permanent loss of normal sensory, motor, or autonomic function. The long-term sequelae can be devastating due to the financial burden as well as the psychological effects and physical…
Traumatic brain injury (TBI) represents a major burden to trauma centers and the health care infrastructure. Heart disease, cancer, and stroke remain the leading cause of mortality year after year in the United States and in various locations abroad. Unlike…
Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is defined as an injury to the brain caused by an external force to the head that results in disruption of the normal function of the brain. It can be a direct or indirect injury due…
Background Shock has been defined in a multitude of ways, but they all come down to inadequate tissue perfusion, and the diagnosis is made at the bedside using clinical judgment. Early identification of the type of shock, understanding of the…