PREOPERATIVE STUDIES

Useful preoperative studies include chest radiograph, anterior-posterior pelvic radiograph, and a Focused Assessment with Sonography for Trauma exam. Preoperative studies should be utilized to identify source(s) of hemorrhage, but blood transfusion and initial hemorrhage control should be prioritized in an unstable patient.

At the Role 3, if there is substantial concern of a TBI requiring operative intervention, and there is a neurosurgeon available, then an expeditious head CT can be considered on the way to the OR (if the patient is hemodynamically stable). If no axial imaging (CT) was performed preoperatively, total body CT scan (trauma scan) should be considered post op on the way to the ICU (if the patient is hemodynamically stable).