Chapters authored
Emergency and Current Approaches to Thoracic Traumas
Trauma is one of the main causes of death in the young population, and trauma-related deaths usually occur in the initial hours following the trauma and are frequently associated with bleeding. In elderly populations, physiological changes and concomitant conditions alleviate the negative consequences of trauma. In injuries to the head or spine, thoracic trauma is the trauma category that is mostly associated with a serious risk of mortality, being generally penetrating or blunt thoracic traumas. Of these, blunt thoracic traumas are more frequent and fatal than penetrating traumas and are caused most often by traffic accidents. The most common causes of death related to blunt thoracic trauma include injuries to the heart and main vessels, and in such cases, emergency resuscitation, early diagnosis, and fast and effective treatment could be life-saving. Penetrating thoracic traumas may result in intrathoracic organ injuries and develop following stab wounds, firearm injuries, and explosions and are likely to require very urgent interventions. Emergency medical interventions could be life-saving in the presence of penetrating thoracic trauma, while mortality in these cases is mostly due to respiratory problems and heart or lung pathologies.
Part of the book: Trauma Surgery
Surgical Approach to Rib Fractures
Rib fractures due to thorax trauma are one of the issues that mostly concern thoracic surgeons. Treatment for rib fractures is usually conservative. However, in some cases, fractured rib can cause complicated situations and surgical repair is required. Very serious respiratory problems occur in multiple costa fractures. Therefore, many advantages of surgical stabilization of the thorax wall have been reported. Especially shortening mechanical ventilation, decreasing the duration of intensive care unit stay, is important in preventing complications. Operation indications; Persistent pain despite intercostal block, narcotic and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory analgesics, It was determined upon the presence of leakage from the thorax tube, intrathoracic hematoma and flail chest deformity. Nowadays, nithinol plates and titanium plates are frequently used in surgeon fixation of the rib fractures.
Part of the book: Trauma and Emergency Surgery