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The Management of Respiratory Failure Due to Combined Chest and Abdominal Injuries
Author(s) -
James Owen,
Gibbons Jennifer,
Bissett Russell
Publication year - 1974
Publication title -
australian and new zealand journal of surgery
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.111
H-Index - 51
eISSN - 1445-2197
pISSN - 0004-8682
DOI - 10.1111/j.1445-2197.1974.tb04420.x
Subject(s) - medicine , laparotomy , abdomen , respiratory failure , pulmonary contusion , surgery , thoracic trauma , thorax (insect anatomy) , ventilation (architecture) , blunt , anatomy , mechanical engineering , engineering
The management in a regional unit of 158 patients with thoracic trauma resulting in respiratory failure is described. Emphasis is placed on the need for accurate diagnosis of intraabdominal trauma in the presence of chest injury. Peritoneal tap is advocated, both to avoid unnecessary laparotomy and to diagnose hæmoperitoneum when intraabdominal signs are obscured by those of the thoracic injury. Following laparotomy on a patient with significant pulmonary trauma, artificial ventilation is necessary for some days, but when the trauma chiefly involves the chest, an opportunity exists to manage the patient by pain relief alone. Forty‐five patients suffering respiratory failure following injury to the chest and abdomen were managed, and 12 died, while 35 needed artificial ventilation.