Spinal injury could involve soft tissues(muscles and ligaments), bones(vertebrae and discs), and neural tissue(spinal cord and nerves). It is important for primary assessment to establish the presence of an injury and initiate immediate treatment to avoid worsening either the…
With the high number of road traffic accidents and assaults, this is a fairly common injury. Early and proper management is critical in order to avoid death and long-term morbidity. Investigations Radiological information of CT scan is usually more…
This injury can present with an apparently frightening clinical picture. Do not panic! Traumatic injuries to the facial structures may be classified as: Soft tissue injuries +- tissue loss Hard tissue injuries +-bone loss Combined soft and hard tissue…
PENETRATING INJURY Common objects causing injury are knives, arrows, spears,and bullets.The objective of the management is to restore normal anatomy or physiology resulting from the stab injury. Investigations For the majority of cases, the chest radiograph alone is adequate.…
A patient injured in more than two body systems is defined as multiply injured.This situation commonly occurs in road traffic accidents, falls from a height, blast injuries, etc. The approach to a patient with multiple injuries has to be systematic…
The majority of burns are caused by heat, which may be open flame, contact heat, and hot liquids (scalds). Others are chemical, electric, friction, sunburns,and irradiation.NB: Extreme cold can cause tissue injuries(i.e frostbite). Initial Management of Burn Cases FIRST…
These include bites by humans, dogs, and other domestic animals, as well as wild animal bites. Management This will depend on the extent of tissue loss and the site of injury. Most bites consist of cuts and simple lacerations.…
Injuries to the spleen, liver, bladder, gut, etc., are not an uncommon cause of preventable death and their proper clinical assessment is vital. The spleen,liver, retroperitoneum, small bowel, kidneys, bladder, collorectum, diaphragm, and pancreas tend to be the most commonly…
The aims of postoperative care are to: Monitor the patient’s postoperative period to detect and correct any anomalies. Keep the patient comfortable and give adequate analagesia. Rectal diclofenac 100 mg(adults), paracetamol for children or pethidine 1 mg/kg TDS. Offer supportive…
Antimicrobial prophylaxis can decrease the incidence of infection, particularly wound infection after certain operation, but this benefit must be weighed against cost, risks of toxic or allergic reactions, and emergence of resistant bacteria. The administration of antibiotic agents to prevent…
