3. INTRODUCTION:
The chest is a large exposure part of the
body that is very vulnerable to impact
injuries. Because it houses the heart, lungs,
and great vessels, chest trauma frequently
produces life threatening disruption. Injury
to the thoracic case and its contraction can
restrict the hearts ability to function
properly.
4.
5. Anatomy and Physiology of
the Thorax
Thoracic Skeleton
– 12 Pair of C-shaped ribs
Ribs 1-7: Join at sternum with cartilage end-points
Ribs 8-10: Join sternum with combined cartilage at
7th rib
Ribs 11-12: No anterior attachment
– Sternum
Manubrium
– Joins to clavicle and 1st rib
– Jugular Notch
Body
– Sternal angle (Angle of Louis)
Junction of the manubrium with the sternal body
Attachment of 2nd rib
Xiphoid process
– Distal portion of sternum
6.
7.
8. DEFINITION:
Chest Trauma / Thoracic Trauma is
a serious injury of the chest. Any
trauma which leads to injury to
chest is termed as chest trauma.
According to
Brunner & Suddarth's
9. A chest injury, also known as chest
trauma, is any form of
physical injury to the chest including
the ribs, heart and lungs. ...
Typically chest injuries are caused by
blunt mechanisms such as motor vehicle
collisions or penetrating mechanisms
such as stabbings.
according to lippencott
12. Main Causes of Chest
Trauma
Blunt Trauma- Blunt force to chest.
Penetrating Trauma- Projectile that
enters chest causing small or large hole.
Compression Injury- Chest is caught
between two objects and chest is
compressed.
13. Thoracic Trauma
Blunt Trauma
– Results from kinetic energy forces
Subdivision Mechanisms
– Blast
Pressure wave causes tissue disruption
Tear blood vessels & disrupt alveolar tissue
Disruption of tracheobronchial tree
Traumatic diaphragm rupture
– Crush (Compression)
Body is compressed between an object and a hard surface
Direct injury of chest wall and internal structures
– Deceleration
Body in motion strikes a fixed object
Blunt trauma to chest wall
Internal structures continue in motion
– Ligamentum Arteriosum shears aorta
– Age Factors
Pediatric Thorax: More cartilage = Absorbs forces
Geriatric Thorax: Calcification & osteoporosis = More fractures
17. TRAUMA DEATHS
EARLY
30%-35%
Within Hours (Golden
Hour)
Thoracic Trauma
Liver/Spleen Injuries
Multiple Pelvic Fractures
Others
Optimum Initial Care
IMMEDIATE
50%
Seconds or Minutes
Spinal Cord Injuries
Severe Brain Injuries
Lesions to Great
Vessels
Prevention
Optimum Prehospital
Care
LATE
15%-20%
2-3 Weeks
Sepsis
Multiple Organ Failure
Optimum Initial Care
(Future?)
20. 1. Simple/Closed
Pneumothorax
o Accumulation of air in the pleural space without an
apparent antecedent event.
o Caused by rupture of small
blebs on the visceral pleural
space
o Blunt trauma is main
o May be spontaneous
o Usually self correcting
21. S/S of Simple/Closed
Pneumothorax
Pleuritic Chest Pain
Dyspnoea
Tachypnea
Decreased Breath Sounds on
Affected Side
Hypertymphany to percussion
22. Treatment for Simple/Closed
Pneumothorax
ABC’s with C-spine control
Administer high concentration of oxygen to treat
hypoxia
Remove clothing to assess injury
Insert chest tube with connection to suction to
remove remaining air and fluid / water seal drainage
Constant monitoring
Opening is plugged to align it with gauze
impregnated with petroleum. A pressure dressing is
applied and secured with a circumferential strap
Give semi- fowlers position or on injured site
Administer Antibiotics
24. 2. Open Pneumothorax
Opening in chest cavity
that allows air to
enter pleural cavity.
Causes the lung to
collapse due to increased
pressure in pleural cavity.
E.g. Stab/ gunshot wounds.
Can be life threatening and
can deteriorate rapidly
32. S/S of Open
Pneumothorax
Dyspnea
Sudden sharp pain
Subcutaneous Emphysema
Decreased lung sounds on affected
side
Red Bubbles on Exhalation from
wound ( a.k.a. Sucking chest
wound)
33. Subcutaneous
Emphysema
Air collects in subcutaneous fat from
pressure of air in pleural cavity
Feels like rice crispies or bubble wrap
Can be seen from neck to groin area
35. Treatment for Open
Pneumothorax
ABC’s with c-spine control as indicated
High Flow oxygen
Listen for decreased breath sounds on
affected side
Apply occlusive dressing to wound
Notify Hospital
36. Occlusive/ Vented Dressing
Allows air to escape
from the vent and
decreases the
likelihood of tension
pneumothorax
developing
37. Occlusive Dressing
ASHERMAN CHEST
Seal The Asherman Chest
Seal™ is a proven treatment
for open pneumothorax and
the prevention of tension
pneumothorax
in chest injuries from gunshot,
stab wounds or other
penetrating chest injuries. The
unique one-way valve is
designed to let air and blood
escape, while keeping both out
of the pleural cavity.
38. 3. Tension Pneumothorax
Air builds in pleural space with no
where for the air to escape
Results in collapse of lung on affected
side that results in pressure on
mediastium,the other lung, and great
vessels
42. S/S of Tension
Pneumothorax
Anxiety/Restlessnes
s
Severe Dyspnea
Absent Breath
sounds on affected
side
Tachypnea
Tachycardia
Poor Color
Accessory Muscle
Use
JVD(JUGULAR
VENOUS
DISTENTION)
Narrowing Pulse
Pressures
Hypotension
Tracheal Deviation
(late if seen at all)
43. TREATMENT
Monitor Cardiac Rhythm
Establish IV access and Draw Blood
Samples
Airway control including Intubation
Needle Decompression of Affected
Side
44. Needle Decompression
Locate 2-3 Intercostal space midclavicular
line
Cleanse area using aseptic technique
Insert catheter ( 14g or larger) at least 3 in
length over the top of the 3rd rib( nerve,
artery, vein lie along bottom of rib)
Remove Stylette and listen for rush of air
Place Flutter valve over catheter
Reassess for Improvement
46. 4. HEMOTHORAX
A hemothorax (derived from hemo- [blood] +
thorax [chest], plural hemothoraces) is an
accumulation of blood within the pleural cavity.
The symptoms of a hemothorax include chest
pain and difficulty breathing, while the clinical
signs include reduced breath sounds on the
affected side and a rapid heart rate.
47. CON…
Occurs when pleural space fills with
blood
Usually occurs due to lacerated blood
vessel in thorax(tear or make deep cut
in skin)
As blood increases, it puts pressure on
heart and other vessels in chest cavity
Each Lung can hold 1.5 liters of blood
55. S/S of Hemothorax
Anxiety/Restlessness
Tachypnea
Signs of Shock
Frothy, Bloody Sputum
Diminished Breath Sounds on Affected
Side
Tachycardia
Flat Neck Veins
56. Treatment for
Hemothorax
ABC’s with c-spine control as indicated
Secure Airway assist ventilation if
necessary
General Shock Care due to Blood loss
Consider Left Lateral Recumbent
position if not contraindicated
RAPID TRANSPORT
Contact Hospital
57. 5. FLAIL CHEST
an acute chest injury in which two or
more ribs become detached from the
rest of the ribcage.
"patients with a flail chest often
remain at risk for pneumonia"
60. S/S of Flail Chest
Shortness of Breath, respiratory
distress, Pneumothorax
Paradoxical Movement
Bruising/Swelling
Crepitus( Grinding of bone ends on
palpation)
Hypotension
61. Treatment of Flail Chest
Flail Chest is a True Emergency
Ensure airway
Administer oxygen
Assist ventilation. Chest decompression is done for
pneumothorax.
Establish I/V line
Restrict fluid intake, prescribe corticosteroids and
albumin to treat pulmonary contusion
Prepare for operative stabilization of chest wall
62. Bulky Dressing for splint
of Flail Chest
Use Trauma
bandage and
Triangular
Bandages to splint
ribs.
Can also place a
bag of D5W on area
and tape down.
(The only good use
of D5W I can find)
63. 6. CARDIAC TAMPONADE
cardiac tamponade, also known
as pericardial tamponade, fluid
or blood builds up between the
heart and the sac that
surrounds ..
64. Blood and fluids
leak into the
pericardial sac
which surrounds the
heart.
As the pericardial
sac fills, it causes
the sac to expand
until it cannot
expand anymore
pericardial sac
65. Pericardial ( CARDIAC )
Tamponade Once the
pericardial sac
can’t expand
anymore, the
fluid starts
putting pressure
on the heart
Now the heart
can’t fully expand
and can’t pump
effectively.
66. Pericardial ( CARDIAC )
Tamponade With poor pumping
the blood pressure
starts to drop.
The heart rate starts
to increase to
compensate but is
unable
The patient’s level of
conscious drops, and
eventually the patient
goes in cardiac arrest
68. Treatment of Pericardial
( CARDIAC ) Tamponade
Check for ABC
High Flow oxygen which may include
BVM
Treat S/S of shock
Assist with pericardiocentesis
Prepare for emergency thoracotomy
70. Pericardiocentesis
Using aseptic technique, Insert at least 3” needle at
the angle of the Xiphoid Cartilage at the 7th rib
Advance needle at 45 degree towards the clavicle
while aspirating syringe till blood return is seen
Continue to Aspirate till syringe is full then discard
blood and attempt again till signs of no more blood
Closely monitor patient due to small about of blood
aspirated can cause a rapid change in blood
pressure
71. 7. TRAUMATIC AORTIC
RUPTURE
Traumatic aortic rupture, also
called traumatic aortic
disruption or transection, is a
condition in which the aorta, the
largest artery in the body, is torn
or ruptured as a result of trauma to
the body. The condition is frequently
fatal due to the profuse bleeding that
results from the rupture.
72. TRAUMATIC AORTIC
RUPTURE
The heart, more or less, just
hangs from the aortic arch
Much like a big pendulum.
If enough motion is placed on
the heart (i.e.. Deceleration
From a motor vehicle
accident, striking a tree while
skiing etc) the heart may tear
away from the aorta.
73. Traumatic Aortic Rupture
The chances of survival are
very slim and are based on the
degree of the tear.
If there is just a small tear then
the patient may survive. If the
aorta is completely transected
then the patient will die
instantaneously
74. S/S Of Traumatic Aortic
Rupture
Burning or Tearing Sensation in chest
or shoulder blades
Rapidly dropping Blood Pressure
Pulse Rapidly Increasing
Decreased or loss of pulse or b/p on
left side compared to right side
Rapid Loss of Consciousness
75. Treatment
Monitor Cardiac Rhythm
Large Bore IV therapy probably 2 and
draw blood samples
Airway management that may include
Intubation
76. 8. TRAUMATIC ASPHYXIA
Traumatic asphyxia, or Perthes's
syndrome, is a medical emergency
caused by an intense compression of
the thoracic cavity, causing venous
back-flow from the right side of the
heart into the veins of the neck and
the brain.
77. CON……
Results from sudden compression
injury to chest cavity
Can cause massive rupture of Vessels
and organs of chest cavity
Ultimately Death
78. S/S of Traumatic
Asphyxia
Severe Dyspnea
Distended Neck Veins
Bulging, Blood shot eyes
Swollen Tounge with cyanotic lips
Reddish-purple discoloration of face
and neck
Petechiae
79. Treatment
Cardiac Monitor
Establish IV Access and draw blood
samples
Airway control including Intubation
Rapid transport
80. 9. DIAPHRAGMATIC
RUPTURE
A tear in the Diaphragm that allows
the abdominal organs enter the chest
cavity
More common on Left side due to liver
helps protect the right side of
diaphragm
Associated with multipile injury
patients
81. CON….
Diaphragmatic rupture (also
called diaphragmatic injury or tear)
is a tear of the diaphragm, the
muscle across the bottom of the
ribcage that plays a crucial role in
respiration. ... Diaphragmatic
rupture can result from blunt or
penetrating trauma and occurs in
about 5% of cases of severe blunt
trauma to the trunk.
83. S/S of Diaphragmatic
Rupture
Abdominal Pain
Shortness of Air
Decreased Breath Sounds on side of
rupture
Bowel Sounds heard in chest cavity
84. Treatment
Cardiac Monitor
Establish IV access and draw blood samples
Airway management including Intubation
Observe for Pneumothorax due to
compression on lung by abdominal contents
Possible insertion of NG tube to help
decompress the stomach to relieve pressure
85. Management of patients with
Thoracic Trauma
The treatment of polytraumatized patient must
follow a certain protocol which includes.
– Adequate oxygenation.
– Fluid replacement.
– Surgical intervention.
– Treatment of septic complications.
– Adequate caloric and substrate(enzyme)
supplementation.
– Prevention of stress bleeding.
– Finally, be alert of possible complication (CNS, ARDS,
hepatic, renal, coagulation disorders, sepsis.
86. 10. RIB FRACTURE:
A broken rib is a common injury that
occurs when one of the bones in rib cage
breaks or cracks. The most common
cause is chest trauma, ...
87. SIGN AND SYMPTOMS:
SEVERE PAIN, TENDERNESS
MUSCLE SPASM WHICH AGGRAVATE
WITH COUGHING , DEEP BREATHING AND
MOTION
CRACKLING SOUND WITH GRATING
UNSTABLE RIB CAGE ON PALPATION
88. TREATMENT
ENSURE AIRWAY AND ADMINISTER
OXYGEN
Stabilize with hand followed by application
of large pieces of tape horizontal across
the flail segment
GIVE ANALGESIC
ENCOURAGE FOR DEEP BREATHING
MAINTAIN PATENT I/V LINE
89. ASSESSMENT:
A- AIRWAY MAINTENANCE WITH
CERVICAL SPINE PROTECTION
B- BREATHING AND VENTILATION
C- CIRCULATION WITH HEMORRHAGE
CONTROL
D- DISABILITY, NEUROLOGICAL STATUS
E- EXPOSURE/ ENVIRONMENTAL
CONTROL, PREVENT HYPOTHERMIA
90. NURSING PROCESS
INEFFECTIVE BREATHING PATTERN RELATED TO
CHEST INJURY
RISK FOR DEFICIENT FLUID VOLUME RELATED TO
CHEST DRAINAGE AND BLOOD LOSS
ACUTE PAIN RELATED TO CHEST INJURY AND
PRESENCE OF DRAINAGE TUBES IN THE CHEST
IMPAIRED PHYSICAL MOBILITY RELATED TO PAIN,
MUSCLE INJURY
RISK FOR INEFFECTIVE INDIVIDUAL COPING
RELATED TO
TEMPORARY DEPENDENCE AND LOSS OF FULL
RESPIRATORY FUNCTION
92. Although there are a wide range
of complications following thoracic
trauma, respiratory failure,
pneumonia, and pleural sepsis are the
most common potentially preventable
problems. Respiratory failure and
pneumonia are directly related to the
severity of the injury and the age and
condition of the patient.
93.
94. Summary
Chest Injuries are common and often life
threatening in trauma patients. So, Rapid
identification and treatment of these patients is
paramount to patient survival. Airway
management is very important and aggressive
management is sometimes needed for proper
management of most chest injuries.