Favorable progress of Holguin patient treated for severe trauma

Ernel Sánchez González, a patient who underwent surgery on October 3rd due to severe trauma sustained during a major accident in the town of Santa Teresa, municipality of Baguanos, Holguin province, remains in favorable condition.

Regarding the circumstances that led to this complex intervention, after receiving the case at the Provincial Trauma Center, located at the Lucía Íñiguez Landín Clinical and Surgical Hospital, General Surgery Specialist I, Rubén Alejandro Suárez Ricardo, recalled that it was around 11:00 a.m. when they learned that two accidents had occurred simultaneously. And then the first injured patients began to arrive. “Between both accidents, ten people were injured, seven of whom were treated at this institution, two pediatric patients. One at the Fermín Valdés Domínguez Military Hospital.”

In these cases, the code for care of contusions and multiple trauma patients is activated. Which means that surgeons, both specialists and residents, must attend to those injured who constitute surgical cases. In this case, there was only one: the driver of a machine whose tire exploded and he lost control, causing the accident.

The patient’s chest was torn off by the steering Wheel. So you can imagine the magnitude of the accident. This resulted in the patient suffering blunt chest trauma, causing a flailing chest. Consisting of the loss of support of a segment of the chest wall, caused by multiple fractures of several adjacent ribs. Due to its complexity, it is considered a complex entity and constitutes a medical emergency, requiring surgical treatment.

Favorable progress of Holguin patient treated for severe trauma 0 — X-ray demonstrating the presence of a hemothorax. Photo: Courtesy of Dr. Rubén Alejandro Suárez Ricardo

The swift and effective response to an emergency of this nature was essential in saving the life of Ernel Sánchez González. According to the second-degree specialist in Comprehensive General Medicine (MGI), his hemodynamics were good. Additional X-ray and ultrasound examinations were performed. Which demonstrated the need for surgery.

“Once in the operating room, we realized that the patient’s hemodynamics and saturation were good. Also allowed us to optimize the necessary and essential conditions to guarantee better care and proper surgical technique. We proceeded with the surgery with the assistance of residents José Infante Valdés, Miguel Agüero Rodríguez, and David Granjel Mano.

“After opening the chest, the ribs were identified. It was necessary to open the left hemithorax because the patient had a hemothorax containing approximately 1200 ml of blood. The bleeding was controlled, and after verifying that there were no hemodynamic repercussions or risk of bleeding.

The chest wall was fine-tuned and internal fixation performed. “It was a complex surgery, lasting more than two hours. We had to work with the utmost safety and expertise so the patient could recover,” said the assistant professor.

Favorable progress of Holguin patient treated for severe trauma 1 — Surgical intervention on Ernel Sánchez González. Photo: Courtesy of Dr. Rubén Alejandro

The experience and professionalism of the multidisciplinary team that operated on Ernel allowed for his favorable recovery. As it was a major surgery, he required admission to intensive care.

Currently, “during patient visits, the patient remains conscious, cooperative, converses normally, and is out of danger today. He is hemodynamically very well, ventilating spontaneously, saturating correctly, with an Overholt system aspirating perfectly.

This result is a great result of the collaborative work of residents and colleagues.” “The recognition is well deserved by all the medical, nursing, anesthesiology, and surgical staff. Who participated in the reception, surgical procedure, and subsequent transfer to the therapy room, where he is currently,” he concluded.

Despite the limited resources available daily in health services, professionals like Dr. Rubén Alejandro and his team always stand out. Overcoming shortcomings to demonstrate their ability to handle emergencies and save lives.