Simulation Cases Cliff's Notes - 2/15/17

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Every month we summarize our simulation cases. No deep dive here, just the top 5 takeaways from each case.  

 

 

Peri-Mortem C-Section

1.  If you suspect a sick obstetric patient coming, call for help early and get your equipment ready

  • Call your dream team if they are available (OB, NICU, Trauma)   

  • Get C – section equipment ready (If you don't have a "c-section kit" at your institution, a chest tube or thoracotomy tray can substitute)  

 
http://www.gynob.com/fh.htm

http://www.gynob.com/fh.htm

2.  Don't delay when the procedure is indicated

  • This is a resuscitative intervention for mother - it is the best for both the unborn child and her

  • Viable fetus in mother (24 weeks) + cardiac arrest = perimortem c-section

  •  Fundus at or above umbilicus ≥ 20 weeks  is the best way to clinically estimate near 24 weeks 

  • No physician in the US has been prosecuted for performing a peri-mortem c-section [2]

 

3.   All you have to remember: 24 – 5 – scalpel and scissors

  • 24 weeks is approximate age of viability

  • 5 minutes from cardiac arrest to get baby out to maximize neonatal survival chances [1]

  • Essential equipment are scalpel (#10) and scissors

 

4.   Continue CPR/resuscitation on Mom during and after the c-section

  • There are numerous case reports of return of spontaneous circulation after the c-section
 

5.   Rapid extraction while minimizing maternal/fetal injury is the goal

  • Be sterile whenever possible, but don’t delay c-section for prep

  • Make a vertical incision with #10 blade, umbilicus to pubic symphysis through the peritoneum

  • Deflect bladder, make a 5 cm vertical incision through lower uterine segment

  • Use bandage scissors to incise uterus, remove baby, clamp and cut cord

  • Remove placenta and membranes

 

References

1. Katz V.L., Dotters D.J., Droegemueller W. Perimortem cesarean delivery. Obstet. Gynecol. 1986;68:571–576.

2.  Stallard TC, Burns B. Emergency Delivery and Peri-mortem c-section.  Emerg Med Clin North Am. 2003 Aug;21(3):679-93.

 

HERE IS A GREAT REVIEW OF WHEN AND HOW TO DO A PERI-MORTEM C-SECTION

 

Hemophilia and Head Trauma

1.   The most common inherited bleeding disorders are:

  • Factor VIII deficiency (hemophilia A)

  • Factor IX deficiency (hemophilia B)

 

2.   The severity of factor VIII and factor IX deficiencies is determined by the factor activity level: mild (5%-40%), moderate (1%-5%), and severe (< 1%).  Severe hemophilia comprises the largest group [1]

 

3.    Intracranial hemorrhage has exceeded HIV as a leading cause of mortality [1]

 

4.   Intracranial hemorrhage can occur with or without a history of trauma and is much more likely to oc­cur in patients with severe hemophilia

  • In a French study, only 62% of patients younger than 15 years reported a history of trauma [2]

  • Diagnosis was de­layed in 43% of these patients, and treatment was delayed in 37%

  • Significant headaches (even without trauma) must be taken very seriously in the hemophiliac

 

5.  Emergency management of hemorrhage for pa­tients with a congenital bleeding disorder centers on increasing the circulating levels of deficient clotting factors

  • If factor replacement is unavailable, cryoprecipitate (for factor VIII deficiency) or fresh frozen plasma (FFP) (for factor IX deficiency) may be used as a last resort

  • The goal of factor replacement is generally considered to be 40%-50% for minor bleeds and 80%-100% for major hemor­rhages [3]; for major hemorrhages, assume the patient has close to 0% activity

  • One unit/kilogram of factor VIII concentrate will increase factor VIII activity by 2%; therefore, to achieve 100% correction, 50 U/kg must be administered

  • One unit/kilogram of factor IX concentrate will only increase factor IX activity by 1%; therefore, twice as much factor IX must be administered for the same effect: 100 U/kg are necessary to achieve 100% correction[3]

 

References

1. Darby SC, Wan SW, Spooner RJ, et al. Mortality rates, life expectancy and causes of death in people with hemophilia
A or B in the United Kingdom who were not infected with HIV. Blood 2007 Aug;110(3): 815-826. 

2.  Stieltjes N, Calvez SN, Demiuel V, et al. Intracranial haemorrhages in French haemophilia patients (1991-2001): clinical
presentation, management and prognosis factors for death. Haemophilia 2005 Sep;11(5):452-458

3.  Hemophilia of Georgia, World Federation of Hemophilia. Protocols for the treatment of hemophilia and von Willebrand
disease. April 2008, No. 14.

 

Accidental Hypothermia

1.  Stratify the severity of hypothermia (temperature and functional characteristics;  use clinical exam and rectal temperature to gauge severity)  

 

 

2.   No one is dead until they are warm and dead…..unless they are already dead

  • Look for signs of dependent lividity

  • Frozen solid, chest noncompliance

  • Ice in airway

  • Hyperkalemia on blood draw (> 14) [1,2] 

 

3.   Don't forget to look for other causes of altered mental status 

  • Head trauma

  • Hypoglycemia

  • Intoxication

  • Overdose

 

4.   Match your treatment with your hypothermia severity [1]

 
MMC Accidental hypothermia clinical Guidelines; &nbsp;www.emguidelines.org

MMC Accidental hypothermia clinical Guidelines;  www.emguidelines.org

5.   Modify your ACLS [1]

  • If severely hypothermic and there is an organized rhythm on monitor, consider it a perfusing rhythm and avoid CPR (confirm perfusing rhythm by bedside echo, doppler pulses)

  • Shock once for vfib/vtach, ACLS drugs x 1 until core temperature > 30C

References

1.  Services DoHaS, Health DoP, EMS SoCHa. State of Alaska Cold Injuries Guidelines. Juneau, Alaska (Guideline) 2014.

2.  Silfvast T, Pettilä V. Outcome from severe accidental hypothermia in Southern Finland--a 10-year review.  Resuscitation. 2003 Dec;59(3):285-90.

 

Severe Facial Trauma/Fractures

1.  Be ready to establish a definitive airway early

  • Concomitant head trauma can cause altered mental status

  • Active hemorrhage can compromise the airway

  • Significant mandible and midface fractures can lead to airway edema and obstruction

 

2.  If significant hemorrhage results from facial fractures, establish initial control with intranasal, nasopharyngeal and oropharyngeal packing

 

3. The risk of traumatic brain injury, ranging from a simple concussion to severe intracranial and extra-axial hemorrhages, increases in the setting of facial trauma[1]  

  • Consider adding a CT head in addition to your facial bones CT
 

4. The incidence of blunt cerebrovascular injuries (BCVI), identified by the Denver screening criteria, found a significant association for BCVI with mandible fractures, Le Fort II and III fractures, as well as scalp degloving injuries [2]

 
https://www2.aofoundation.org/wps/portal/surgerymobile?contentUrl=/srg/93/01-Diagnosis/frontal_sinus.jsp&amp;soloState=precomp&amp;title=&amp;Language=en&amp;bone=CMF&amp;segment=Cranium

https://www2.aofoundation.org/wps/portal/surgerymobile?contentUrl=/srg/93/01-Diagnosis/frontal_sinus.jsp&soloState=precomp&title=&Language=en&bone=CMF&segment=Cranium

5.  Don't forget the frontal sinus

  • Frontal sinus fractures that involve the posterior wall require neurosurgical consultation as they can lead to dural violation, CSF leak, disruptions of the anterior cranial fossa or CNS infections.

 

 

 

References

1. Gassner R, et al. Craniomaxillofacial trauma in children: A review of 3,385 cases with 6,060 injuries in 10 years.  J Oral Maxillofac Surg 2004;62(4): 399-407.

2.  Burlew CC, et al. Blunt cerebrovascular injuries: Redefining screening criteria in the era of noninvasive diagnosis. J Trauma Acute Care Surg 2012;72(2):330-335; discussion 336-337, quiz 539.

 

Written by Jeffrey A. Holmes, MD