Biomedical subjects

D L Dalbec

Publications and source records attributed to D L Dalbec.

2 recordsLinked to original sources

PubMed1986

Emergency thoracotomy.

Emergency thoracotomy is a valuable therapeutic modality for the moribund patient when trauma is the cause of the shock state. It is a procedure that requires an understanding of the technique and indications and should be instituted based on the indications listed above. There is probably no reason to do this procedure in the patient who is in extremis as a result of blunt trauma, because results have been universally dismal in these patients. In the patient with a rapidly expanding abdomen resulting from trauma and who is moribund, opening the chest and cross-clamping the aorta may be beneficial. Emergency thoracotomy does not take the place of volume replacement and definitive surgical care for the trauma patient.

Emergencies↗

PubMed1986

Thoracostomy.

Tube thoracostomy in the Emergency Department is an integral part of trauma and care and treatment of nontraumatic intrapleural collections. An understanding of pleuropulmonary anatomy, physiology, and pathophysiology forms the basis for appropriate and safe application of this procedure. Rapid diagnosis and treatment of intrapleural collections in the trauma patient is essential when one considers the grave prognosis of untreated tension pneumothorax or massive hemothorax. Prior knowledge of possible procedural complications with particular attention to thoracostomy site, sterile technique, and careful blunt dissection makes chest tube placement straightforward and safe. Most post-procedural complications can be avoided through a thorough understanding of the collection system and careful monitoring of the patient.

Drainage↗