CRACKCast E046 - Abdominal Trauma

This episode covers chapter 46 of Rosen's Emergency Medicine text book.

Episode Overview:

1) What are three mechanisms of injury in blunt trauma?

2) List expected seat-belt injuries

3) What are the most common intra-abdominal injuries in children?

4) Differentiate between the use of CT scan, diagnostic peritoneal lavage (DPL) and ultrasound – advantages & disadvantages.

5) List intra-abdominal injuries that may be missed on CT.

6) Describe the process of local wound exploration.

1. List 5 ways to determine if peritoneum has been violated

7) List clinical indications for laparotomy in blunt and penetrating abdominal trauma

8) Describe the management of unstable blunt abdominal trauma

1. Pelvic fracture
2. Head injury (closed head injury)
3. Wide mediastinum (aortic injury)

9) Provide an approach to anterior abdominal trauma with:

1. Evidence of peritoneal violation (penetrating injuries)
2. Evidence of intra-abdominal injury with blunt abdominal trauma

10) Provide an approach to flank injuries

11) Provide an approach to back injuries

Wisecracks:

1) Describe indications and technique of diagnostic peritoneal lavage (DPL). What is a positive DPL?

2) List 1 absolute contraindication and 4 relative contraindications to DPL

3) What is Waddel's triad?

4) What are Gray-Turner and Cullen's signs?

5) How much blood is detectable by bedside US?