Survival from a 75% TBSA thermal injury complicated by bowel ischemia presenting with pneumatosis intestinalis.
Citation: Journal of Surgical Case Reports. 2018(8):rjy235, 2018 Aug.PMID: 30181865Institution: MedStar Health Research Institute | MedStar Washington Hospital CenterDepartment: Firefighters' Burn and Surgical Research Laboratory | Surgery/Burn Services | Surgery/General SurgeryForm of publication: Journal ArticleMedline article type(s): Journal ArticleSubject headings: IN PROCESS -- NOT YET INDEXEDYear: 2018ISSN:- 2042-8812
Item type | Current library | Collection | Call number | Status | Date due | Barcode |
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Journal Article | MedStar Authors Catalog | Article | 30181865 | Available | 30181865 |
Thermal injury is associated with an increased risk of abdominal complications such as ischemia, infarction and pneumatosis intestinalis (PI). PI is characterized by gas in the intestinal wall and, when diagnosed it can signify the presence of a life-threatening condition. We present a case of a patient who survived 75% total body surface area burns complicated by ischemic bowel that initially presented as extensive PI. This patient was emergently taken to the operating room and underwent a subtotal colectomy and small bowel resection for ischemic bowel. Prompt diagnosis and successful management of the underlying condition ultimately contributed to the patient's survival. The presence of peritonitis or abdominal distension, portomesenteric venous gas and lactic acidosis should prompt immediate surgical intervention in the post-burn period.
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