32 research outputs found
HFOV in inhalational injury associated ARDS with broncho-pleural fistula – An old friend to the rescue: Case report
Introduction: Patients with acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) on mechanical ventilation often require high inspiratory pressure and positive
end-expiratory pressure (PEEP). However, effective ventilation becomes difficult in cases where a large air leak develops in patients. The management of such a case requires improvisation and the adoption of special ventilation strategies.
Case and outcomes: We present a case study of a burn patient with airway involvement, developing ARDS and who developed a bronchopleural fistula (BPF) leading to failure of conventional ventilation. He was managed successfully with high-frequency oscillatory ventilation (HFOV) and finally
discharged.
Conclusion: HFOV is a feasible option for ventilating patients with BPF when conventional ventilation fails. At a time when HFOV has largely been relegated to obsolescence, we hope to re-emphasize its relevance under particular circumstances
Post operative pain relief through intermittent mandibular nerve block
Mandibular nerve block is often performed for diagnostic, therapeutic and anesthetic purposes for surgery involving mandibular region. Advantages of a nerve block include excellent pain relief and avoidance of the side effects associated with the use of opiods or Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAIDs). A patient with maxillo facial trauma was scheduled for open reduction and internal fixation of right parasymphyseal mandibular fracture. The mandibular nerve was approached using the lateral extraoral approach with an 18-gauge i.v. cannula under general anesthesia. He received 4 ml boluses of 0.25% plain bupivacaine for intraoperative analgesia and 12 hourly for 48 h post operatively. VAS scores remained less than 4 through out observation period. The only side effect was numbness of ipsilateral lower jaw line, which subsided after local anesthetic administration was discontinued. Patient was discharged after four days
Initial management of a pregnant woman with trauma
Trauma is a leading nonobstetric cause of mortality among pregnant women. Managing a pregnant trauma victim is a unique challenge as one is dealing with two lives at the same time. Initial optimal management of a parturient plays an important role in survival. Various physiological and anatomical changes occur in pregnancy that has important implications in the management. Some complications like abruption placenta, rupture uterus, amniotic fluid embolism and isoimmunization are peculiar to pregnant trauma patients. In this review, we discuss the initial management of parturient with trauma along with various physiological and anatomical changes and their implications
Outcome of patients of chest trauma suffering from chronic obstructive pulmonary disease — experience at level 1 trauma centre
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BACKGROUND: The outcome of chest trauma depends on many factors, one of which includes comorbidities. Nowadays, as the elderly population is on the rise, more and more trauma victims are being admitted with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease as a comorbidity in trauma centre intensive care units. However, there are hardly any studies describing the outcome of such patients with chest trauma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, both being respiratory problems.
The aim was to study the outcomes and various complications in patients of chest trauma with COPD admitted to our ICU over a given time period.
METHODS: A detailed review of charts of patients with chest trauma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease admitted over one and a half years was performed and various parameters noted, including as follows: demographic data; various scores; the number of days on a ventilator and in the ICU. Moreover, complications, such as ventilator associated pneumonia, catheter related bloodstream infections, as well as outcomes, were noted.
RESULT: During the study period, 19 patients were admitted, out of which 4 died. The APACHE scores were higher for those who died and all had ventilator-associated pneumonia as a complication. All those who had undergone the placement of an epidural and were managed with non-invasive ventilation initially did not require invasive ventilation.
CONCLUSIONS: Chest trauma patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease are prone to develop ventilator-associated pneumonia which may be the source of increased mortality among such patients. Epidural placement reduces the risk of invasive ventilation if a patient can be managed with non-invasive ventilation.
Start time delays in operating room: Different perspectives
Background: Healthcare expenditure is a serious concern, with escalating costs failing to meet the expectations of quality care. The treatment capacities are limited in a hospital setting and the operating rooms (ORs). Their optimal utilization is vital in efficient hospital management. Starting late means considerable wait time for staff, patients and waste of resources. We planned an audit to assess different perspectives of the residents in surgical specialities and anesthesia and OR staff nurses so as to know the causative factors of operative delay. This can help develop a practical model to decrease start time delays in operating room (ORs). Aims: An audit to assess different perspectives of the Operating room (OR) staff with respect to the varied causative factors of operative delay in the OR. To aid in the development of a practical model to decrease start time delays in ORs and facilitate on-time starts at Jai Prakash Narayan Apex Trauma centre (JPNATC), All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), New Delhi. Methods: We prepared a questionnaire seeking the five main reasons of delay as per their perspective. Results: The available data was analysed. Analysis of the data demonstrated the common causative factors in start time operative delays as: a lack of proper planning, deficiencies in team work, communication gap and limited availability of trained supporting staff. Conclusions: The preparation of the equipment and required material for the OR cases must be done well in advance. Utilization of newer technology enables timely booking and scheduling of cases. Improved inter-departmental coordination and compliance with preanesthetic instructions needs to be ensured. It is essential that the anesthesiologists perform their work promptly, well in time . and supervise the proceedings as the OR manager. This audit is a step forward in defining the need of effective OR planning for continuous quality improvement
An unusual differential for a pulseless trauma patient
Hemorrhagic shock is the most common reason to explain the inability to feel pulse in a trauma patient. However, clinicians should always suspect atypical causes for differential pulses in this population and Takayasu's arteritis (TA) is one such example. We report a case of aorto-arteritis in a patient who presented with trauma and was later diagnosed with TA. She had blood pressure discrepancy between upper and lower limbs noted upon her initial trauma evaluation