Paediatric Abdominal and Thoracic Injuries

Description

In this educational presentation, Dr. Haider Kareem discusses the operative management of abdominal and thoracic injuries, particularly in children, emphasizing the need for pediatric trauma surgeons to approach treatments differently than in adults. He introduces the principles of damage control surgery, underscoring the importance of identifying life-threatening injuries that may be masked by other distractions. With detailed procedural guidelines, he highlights crucial steps such as controlling bleeding, limiting contamination, and leaving the abdomen open when necessary.



Dr. Kareem explains techniques for addressing major pelvic trauma, effective packing methods, and surgical approaches such as exploratory laparotomy. He meticulously walks through treatment strategies for solid organ injuries while highlighting children's unique anatomical differences, emphasizing that their injuries heal differently than those of adults.



He thoroughly covers thoracic injuries, the importance of recognizing the 'cardiac box' for potential cardiac tampering, and discusses various thoracotomy techniques, including the advantages of clamshell thoracotomy for comprehensive access to the thoracic cavity. Dr. Kareem also mentions effective ways to deal with cardiac tamponade, hemothorax, and lung injuries, interjecting anecdotes from real cases to illustrate the techniques presented. Throughout the presentation, he stresses the importance of communication between the surgical team and ongoing monitoring of patients in critical conditions. Post-operative care tips are also provided, focusing on pain management, nutrition, and the quick mobilization of pediatric patients.

DOI: 10.1302/3114-230430

Specialties