Asian Journal of Case Reports in Medicine and Health

Anesthesia Care for a Polytraumatized Eleven Years old Child with Thoraco-Abdominal Impalement Trauma

Promise Onyeka Ubanatu

Department of Anaesthesia, Alex Ekwueme Federal University Teaching Hospital, Abakaliki, Ebonyi State, Nigeria.

Callistus Obinna Elegbua *

Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, David Umahi Federal University Teaching Hospital, Uburu, Ebonyi State, Nigeria.

Mbawike Nathan Onyinye

Department of Anaesthesia, Alex Ekwueme Federal University Teaching Hospital, Abakaliki, Ebonyi State, Nigeria.

Bolaji Abdulazeez Akanni

Department of Surgery, Alex Ekwueme Federal University Teaching Hospital, Abakaliki, Ebonyi State, Nigeria.

Chukwunyere Callise Obi

Department of Surgery, Alex Ekwueme Federal University Teaching Hospital, Abakaliki, Ebonyi State, Nigeria.

Eke Stephen Chukwuemeka

Intensive Care Unit, Alex Ekwueme Federal University Teaching Hospital, Abakaliki, Ebonyi State, Nigeria.

*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.

---

Abstract

The present study explores anesthesia care for a polytraumatized eleven years old child with thoraco-abdominal impalement trauma. The anesthetist plays an important role in trauma management. We present the case of an 11-year-old boy who had thoraco-abdominal exploration for impalement injury. Children are at increased risk of peri-operative cardio-respiratory deterioration due to their unique physiological reserve. Post-operative care for polytrauma patient in the intensive care unit as for the index patient aimed at maintaining hemodynamic and metabolic stability via continued fluid resuscitation, and correction of metabolic derangements, mechanical ventilatory strategies and adequate monitoring. Judicious selection and use of anesthetic agents and post-surgical critical care play important roles in ensuring the desired successful outcome.

Keywords: Anesthesia, fluid resuscitation, metabolic derangements, morbidity

---

---