Thoracic Trauma

Thoracic Trauma
Presentation Lecture from Temple College
EMS Professions

Chest Trauma
* Initial exam directed toward:
o Open pneumothorax
o Flail chest
o Tension pneumothorax
o Massive hemothorax
o Cardiac tamponade

Rib Fracture
* Most common chest injury
* More common in adults than children
* Especially common in elderly
* Ribs form rings
* Most commonly 5th to 9th ribs
* Poor protection
* Fractures of 1st, 2nd ribs require high force
* Frequently have injury to aorta or bronchi
* 30% will die
* Fractures of 8th to 12th ribs can damage underlying abdominal solid organs:
* Signs and Symptoms
* Management

Flail Chest
Simple Pneumothorax
Open Pneumothorax
Tension Pneumothorax
Hemothorax
Traumatic Asphyxia
Traumatic Asphyxia Management
o Airway with C-spine control
o Assist ventilations with high concentration O2
o Spinal stabilization
o Rapid transport

Cardiovascular Trauma
Myocardial Contusion
Cardiac Tamponade
Beck’s Triad
Traumatic Aortic Aneurysm
Associated Abdominal Trauma

Thoracic Trauma.ppt