Combined penetrating trauma of the head, neck, chest, abdomen and scrotum caused by falling from a high altitude: A case report and literature review

Int Emerg Nurs. 2019 May:44:1-7. doi: 10.1016/j.ienj.2019.01.001. Epub 2019 Mar 20.

Abstract

This report describes an extremely rare case of combined penetrating trauma that includes the head, neck, chest, abdomen and scrotum. A 46-year-old male construction worker fell from a 5-metre-high platform, and a rebar that was fixed vertically on the ground penetrated the scrotum into the pelvic and abdominal cavities, passing through the chest, neck, mouth, and nose to the outside of the body through the left side of the head. The rebar penetrated the oral cavity and was palpable on the anterior side of the neck and abdomen. The head, neck, chest and abdominal CT scan and reconstruction showed brain contusion, fractures of the skull and skull base, subarachnoid haemorrhage, palate injury, tongue injury, injury to the right lobe of the thyroid, pleural effusion, pulmonary contusion, cardiac contusion, injury to the left lobe of the lung, neck and mediastinal emphysema, and pneumothorax. Emergency green channels provide a rescue process for urgent and severe cases and smooth and timely diagnostic and treatment process to save patients' lives. The medical staff worked together as a team for the initial evaluation and rescue. Emergency nurses played an important role in communicating, cooperating, managing insulation and pain, and providing psychological counselling, which greatly enhanced the efficiency and quality of the nursing. After the patient underwent surgery, anti-infection treatment, sedatives, analgesics, nutritional therapy, psychological support, and other intensive treatment measures, he recovered well two months after the injury. Follow-up at 5 and 11 months after discharge showed good recovery.

Keywords: Emergency care; Falling; Multiple injury; Penetrating injury; Rebar.

Publication types

  • Case Reports
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Abdominal Injuries / etiology
  • Accidental Falls*
  • Anti-Bacterial Agents / therapeutic use
  • China
  • Craniocerebral Trauma / etiology
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Neck Injuries / etiology
  • Scrotum / injuries
  • Thoracic Injuries / etiology
  • Tomography, X-Ray Computed / methods
  • Wounds and Injuries / complications*
  • Wounds and Injuries / drug therapy
  • Wounds, Penetrating / complications*
  • Wounds, Penetrating / diagnostic imaging
  • Wounds, Penetrating / drug therapy

Substances

  • Anti-Bacterial Agents