There are different patterns of injury that can encountered after trauma. A sucking chest wound is a form of injury that results from a penetrating chest wound. Signs that you should look out for include, evidence of a wound, respiratory distress, foaming around the injured area, coughing of blood and a hissing sound when the individual is breathing in and out. However, some of them may be silent.
Upon suspecting this kind of injury, call emergency services immediately. Try to also call for another person or two within the vicinity to help as you wait for the emergency response team. In some situations, you may be instructed on what to do by the emergency number operator. If such guidance is not available, there are a number of things you can do as you wait.
The first step should always be ensure your own safety. If there are any falling objects ensure that you pull the victim from the area. Wash your hands and glove up. Inspect the site of injury and look for objects or pieces of clothing around the wound. These should be carefully removed. If you notice any object that is stuck in the injured area, do not remove it forcefully. Doing so is likely to worsen the initial injury.
Every attempt should be made to seal the openings that are provide a route for entry of air. In case of gunshot injuries, both the entry and exit wounds should be closed. This can be effectively achieved by use of adhesive tape. If such is unavailable any material that can create an air right seal can be used. The palm of the hand can be engaged as a last resort.
One of the most dreaded complications of this condition is what is known as tension pneumothorax. This complication tends to follow lung lacerations. Air escapes from the lungs and is trapped within the chest cavity. It increases progressively to the extent of interfering with the circulatory system and leading to death.
Once the seals have been created, you need to be wary of tension pneumothorax. Some of the signs that suggest this complication is setting include crackling sounds palpated under the skin, shallow rapid breaths, a blue coloration of fingers and engorged neck veins. If these are noted, the seal should be opened immediately. In case the patient stops breathing before the emergency team arrives then you will need to start cardiopulmonary resuscitation, CPR.
It is important that the patient be taken to hospital as soon as possible. Apart from being stabilized with oxygen therapy, they will require operative management aimed at releasing the air that has been sucked in. This is usually achieved by fixation of a drainage tube that is continuous with an under water seal. This drain may be retained for a few days.
In cases where appropriate first aid measures are undertaken and the surgical intervention availed in time, the prognosis is almost always favourable. Remember that the area affected is delicate and a second lost could be the difference between life and death. A week or two of hospital stay are usually required before one can be discharged. A longer recovery period will be needed if the patient sustained multiple injuries. Full recovery takes three to six months.
Upon suspecting this kind of injury, call emergency services immediately. Try to also call for another person or two within the vicinity to help as you wait for the emergency response team. In some situations, you may be instructed on what to do by the emergency number operator. If such guidance is not available, there are a number of things you can do as you wait.
The first step should always be ensure your own safety. If there are any falling objects ensure that you pull the victim from the area. Wash your hands and glove up. Inspect the site of injury and look for objects or pieces of clothing around the wound. These should be carefully removed. If you notice any object that is stuck in the injured area, do not remove it forcefully. Doing so is likely to worsen the initial injury.
Every attempt should be made to seal the openings that are provide a route for entry of air. In case of gunshot injuries, both the entry and exit wounds should be closed. This can be effectively achieved by use of adhesive tape. If such is unavailable any material that can create an air right seal can be used. The palm of the hand can be engaged as a last resort.
One of the most dreaded complications of this condition is what is known as tension pneumothorax. This complication tends to follow lung lacerations. Air escapes from the lungs and is trapped within the chest cavity. It increases progressively to the extent of interfering with the circulatory system and leading to death.
Once the seals have been created, you need to be wary of tension pneumothorax. Some of the signs that suggest this complication is setting include crackling sounds palpated under the skin, shallow rapid breaths, a blue coloration of fingers and engorged neck veins. If these are noted, the seal should be opened immediately. In case the patient stops breathing before the emergency team arrives then you will need to start cardiopulmonary resuscitation, CPR.
It is important that the patient be taken to hospital as soon as possible. Apart from being stabilized with oxygen therapy, they will require operative management aimed at releasing the air that has been sucked in. This is usually achieved by fixation of a drainage tube that is continuous with an under water seal. This drain may be retained for a few days.
In cases where appropriate first aid measures are undertaken and the surgical intervention availed in time, the prognosis is almost always favourable. Remember that the area affected is delicate and a second lost could be the difference between life and death. A week or two of hospital stay are usually required before one can be discharged. A longer recovery period will be needed if the patient sustained multiple injuries. Full recovery takes three to six months.
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