First aid for chest injuries according to the guidance of the Ministry of Health

This is an automatically translated article.

The article was professionally consulted by Specialist Doctor I Huynh Kim Long - Emergency Resuscitation Doctor - Emergency Resuscitation Department - Vinmec Da Nang International General Hospital.

Chest trauma is one of the leading causes of death in emergency in general and surgical emergency in particular. Deaths from chest trauma account for 20-25% of all trauma deaths.

1. Outline

Trauma to the chest: Is one of the most serious and multi-traumatic chest injuries. The cause is most often due to direct trauma or penetrating wound, in chest trauma the highest mortality is the case of pressure pneumothorax, large vessel damage, heart injury, so the detection and treatment urgent need.
Chest anatomy: The chest contains important organs such as the heart, lungs, large blood vessels. Any internal damage is dangerous, with a high risk of death.

2. Recognizing chest trauma

In the following cases, it is necessary to think of chest trauma immediately:
There is a chest wound. When coughing, blood and gas seeps out through the wound. There is pneumothorax under the skin of the neck and chest. There is a slight bump under the skin to the touch. Victim has difficulty breathing, rapid or intermittent breathing, must sit up to breathe. The victim has broken ribs, collarbone, sternum. When breathing is painful or there is a phenomenon when exhaling the chest inflates, inhaling the chest collapses different from the normal breathing phenomenon. There is a blood clot in the chest area.

3. Initial treatment

3.1.Assist the victim Let the victim lie comfortably in a cool, spacious place If the victim cannot lie down due to difficulty breathing, put the victim in the most comfortable position eg half-lying, half-sitting. Loosen clothing, remove belt, tie.. Lie on your side safely if patient vomits or tends to vomit. Should be placed on the left side. If in shock, keep the head low, legs high, temporarily warm the victim. 3.2. Monitor circulation and respiration If the victim has stopped breathing, cardiac arrest needs artificial respiration, cardiopulmonary resuscitation immediately with the help of an accompanying person. Shock treatment: lie down with the head low, legs high, warm if the victim can still lie down
3.3. Control external bleeding Place a clean cloth if sterile gauze is available, apply pressure directly with your hand and always remember not to remove your hand. Also, do not change gauze when you see blood coming out wet, but use another thick dry gauze pad on top and continue to press the wound. 3.4. Open wounds Cover the wound and cover the wound with a large gauze pad or clean clothing. If the patient has difficulty breathing after the dressing, immediately remove the compression gauze or apply only a light pressure bandage to allow the air to escape. 3.5. Piercing wound: Leave on and do not remove. Just move the victim to the hospital for treatment.
3.6. Pneumothorax under pressure

As an urgent emergency, if not treated quickly, the victim may die because the gas continuously flows into the chest cavity, compressing the mediastinum, leading to heart compression and the victim will die quickly.
There are signs of increasing shortness of breath, cyanosis, distended neck veins, sweating.
The chest on the side of the pneumothorax is higher than the opposite side, the percussion echoes, the lungs lose their alveolar murmur or can't hear anything.
Quickly use a large metal needle (G18) to poke into the 2nd intercostal space, mid-clavicular line for air to escape and keep it continuously until the victim is stable or medical personnel arrive.
3.7.Position of the casualty Usually stay in a comfortable position if the victim feels comfortable breathing. Ideally, a half-lying, half-sitting position or lying with your head high.
3.8. Call for medical assistance Call for emergency medical assistance : 115 or the nearest medical facility.
When calling for emergency assistance, you should provide complete medical information about the victim, the condition of the wound for advice on handling and preparing appropriate equipment and staff for the emergency. Notice to notify if patient is in shock, suspected pneumothorax under pressure, puncture wound.
Chest trauma is a severe case that can be life-threatening if not diagnosed and treated early. Patients must immediately go to medical facilities for diagnosis and emergency treatment. Vinmec International General Hospital is a prestigious medical address so that patients can completely rest assured for examination and treatment at the Hospital.
The team of emergency doctors and nurses at the Faculty are intensively and professionally trained, able to receive and handle urgent cases of serious patients Always have coordination with all other specialties such as: thoracic surgery, cardiology... quickly. There are modern equipment in diagnosis and treatment.

Please dial HOTLINE for more information or register for an appointment HERE. Download MyVinmec app to make appointments faster and to manage your bookings easily.