Fractured cervical spine and aortic transection
Griffin, M.J.; Harnett, M.; Kenefick, P.
European Journal of Anaesthesiology 15(4): 497-500
1998
ISSN/ISBN: 0265-0215 PMID: 9699110 Document Number: 485987
A 17-year-old victim of a road traffic accident presented. Following investigation diagnoses of fractured first cervical vertebra, aortic transection, diffuse cerebral oedema, fractured right ribs 2-4 and pubic rami were made. Management of this case presented a number of anaesthetic dilemmas: management of the airway, use of cross-clamp vs. shunting or heparinization and bypass, cardiovascular and neurological monitoring, maintenance of cardiovascular stability during and post cross-clamp, minimizing the risk of post-operative renal and neurological dysfunction.