A successful off-pump cardiac repair following blunt cardiac rupture - A case report

A 25-year-old male truck driver presented to Emergency Department following unrestrained heavy motor vehicle crash (MVC), when the high-speed truck collided to a wall. He sustained blunt chest trauma from steering wheel and open fracture of right tibia with compartment syndrome. On primary survey, patient was in shock with patent airway. Focused assessment sonography for trauma (FAST) suggested cardiac tamponade for which ultrasound-guided pericardial catheter was placed. After resuscitation patient was taken to the operation theatre. Clam-shell thoracotomy revealed rents in left atrial appendages which were repaired. Fasciotomy of leg was performed and external fixator was applied for open tibia fracture. The patient developed surgical site infection that was treated with local antibiotic and regular dressings. After two weeks, fasciotomy wound was closed with split-skin grafting. At nine-month follow-up, patient was able to resume his occupation as a heavy motor vehicle driver.