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Penetrating pediatric trauma owing to improper child safety seat use
Andrew Riggle1, John Bollins, Subbarredy Konda
1University of Minnesota Medical School, MN 55805, USA.
Insights
A child sustained thoracic impalement from a car seat restraint. Prompt prehospital stabilization and surgical intervention were crucial for managing potential pulmonary artery injury and ensuring safe foreign body removal.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Surgery
- Trauma Care
- Emergency Medicine
Background:
- Foreign body impalement in children presents unique challenges.
- Improper safety seat restraint is a potential cause of thoracic trauma.
Observation:
- A 15-month-old child experienced thoracic impalement.
- Initial management involved field stabilization with bulky dressings.
- Imaging suggested possible pulmonary artery involvement.
Findings:
- Thoracotomy was performed for vascular control prior to foreign body removal.
- Successful surgical removal of the impaled foreign body was achieved.
Implications:
- Highlights the importance of meticulous prehospital care in impalement injuries.
- Demonstrates effective operative strategies for thoracic foreign body retrieval.
- Emphasizes the need for vigilance regarding vascular structures in pediatric trauma.
Abstract:
We present a case of a 15-month-old child with a history of thoracic impalement after improper safety seat restraint. The foreign body was stabilized with bulky dressings in the field before transport. Imaging revealed possible pulmonary artery involvement; and consequently, a thoracotomy was done to obtain vascular control before removal. We use this case to highlight prehospital care and operative management of a patient with foreign body impalement.
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