Successful emergency department thoracotomy for traumatic cardiac rupture: effective utilization of a fret sternum saw.

Mortality following blunt chest injury and cardiac rupture remains high despite advances in the care of traumatic injuries. Indeed, most patients succumb to these injuries even prior to reaching a hospital. However, timely recognition and surgical intervention can save lives. We present the case of a 40-year-old woman who presented to our emergency department in cardiac arrest due to rupture of her left atrium following a major motor vehicle collision. The patient underwent emergency department thoracotomy with successful repair of the cardiac rupture. Emergency department thoracotomy, when indicated and performed by trained surgeons, can be the only life-saving procedure available. Rapid median sternotomy using a cost-effective fret sternum saw does not require significantly more time than a left lateral thoracotomy or clamshell incision in an emergency situation. It can be an effective and alternative method of thoracic entry in the emergency department. Prognosis of cardiac rupture depends largely on the mechanism of injury, location of injury, signs of life: vital signs, and availability of timely intervention. When indicated, hesitation should be avoided. Expedient cardiac exposure is essential and leads to better results with improved survival rates in patients with blunt cardiac rupture.

[A case of Rh-incompatible transfusion in critical hemorrhage].

A 66-year-old man was injured in the traffic accident and showed the signs of hemorrhagic shock. His blood type was Rh negative O. As excessive bleeding was going on, we decided to transfuse 8 units of Rh-incompatible type O red blood cell (RBC) without performing cross match test according to the guideline for treatment of critical bleeding. Though we were aware of the risks of that treatment, no hemolytic reaction nor any other side effect was observed during and after the transfusion. Anti-Rh antibody was not developed either while Anti-Rh immunoglobulin was not given to him. His blood type has been proved to be Del type red blood cell. We conclude that transfusion of Rh-incompatible blood in patient with critical hemorrhage should be encouraged to save life.