Quote:
| Originally Posted by [b Quote[/b] (Hyperbaric @ Feb. 27 2004,15:38)] Quote: | Originally Posted by [b Quote[/b] ]in this event surgery will be required to treat the barotrauma before recompression therapy can commence and administration of fluids would delay surgery | Even if the casualty had a stomach full of food, they would get surgery without delay if it was an emergency, surely? |
Consider this:
You have just been out for a meal, you are on the way home when you are involved in an accident.
You are seriously injured and need urgent surgery.
Food in the stomach is not a reason to withold, we secure the airway by intubation following rapid sequence induction of anaesthesia.
Patients are kept nil by mouth if possible to reduce risks, but surgery would only be cancelled if it was non-elective.
I would echo the sentiment that fluids are most likely due to the role of dehydration in DCS and the fact that most of us tend to live in a state of perpetual dehydration.
Dom