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EFAST: Difference between revisions
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{{DISPLAYTITLE:eFAST}}{{DEFAULTSORT:eFAST}}'''eFAST''' is a rapid (a few minutes) [[ultrasound]] protocol used in the context of [[Blunt abdominal trauma|blunt]] or [[Penetrating abdominal trauma|penetrating]] trauma which can be used to identify free fluid in the peritoneum, which is presumably blood, as well as [[pneumothorax]], [[haemothorax]], or [[pleural effusion]]. It involves examining a certain set of abdominal and thoracic regions for free fluid. | {{DISPLAYTITLE:eFAST}}{{DEFAULTSORT:eFAST}}'''eFAST''' (extended focused assessment with sonography in trauma) is a rapid (a few minutes) [[ultrasound]] protocol used in the context of [[Blunt abdominal trauma|blunt]] or [[Penetrating abdominal trauma|penetrating]] trauma which can be used to identify free fluid in the peritoneum, which is presumably blood, as well as [[pneumothorax]], [[haemothorax]], or [[pleural effusion]]. It involves examining a certain set of abdominal and thoracic regions for free fluid. | ||
Order of examination: | Order of examination: | ||
* Hepatorenal region -> Pericardium -> Perisplenic -> Suprapubic -> Right and left chest | * Hepatorenal region -> Pericardium -> Perisplenic -> Suprapubic -> Right and left chest | ||
However, it should be kept in mind that a negative eFAST doesn’t rule out intraabdominal injury, as eFAST cannot discern diaphragmatic tears, pancreatic injury, [[Gastrointestinal perforation|bowel perforation]], and small amounts of free fluid (<500 mL). The sensitivity of eFAST is also limited. The main objective of eFAST is to decrease the number of people who require a [[CT]] scan, thereby shortening their time to surgery. | |||
In case eFAST detects intraabdominal free fluid, the patient has likely suffered large injuries which require surgery, and so the patient should be taken to emergency [[laparotomy]]. | |||
In case eFAST does not detect any pathology, an abdominal CT scan should be performed if the risk for intra-abdominal injury isn’t low. If the abdominal CT shows injury, emergency laparotomy should be performed. | |||
[[Category:Traumatology]] | [[Category:Traumatology]] | ||
[[Category:Radiology]] | [[Category:Radiology]] | ||