#107271 - 09/28/07 08:31 PM
Re: Field surgery
[Re: paramedicpete]
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Enthusiast
Registered: 02/08/02
Posts: 312
Loc: FL
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Re improvised irrigation syringes, it was the slender, hard tip of the syringe that I couldn't improvise. I had lots of sterile water and spare plastic bags, etc., just no way to squirt it under my nail. -- Bear
_________________________
No fire, no steel.
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#107275 - 09/28/07 09:11 PM
Re: Field surgery
[Re: dchinell]
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day hiker
Addict
Registered: 02/15/07
Posts: 590
Loc: ventura county, ca
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IMHO you did the best thing possible. although you exposed the sensitive nail bed by cutting away the nail, you allowed excellent access for cleaning - which is the objective.
a caution with using a syringe - you run the risk of forcing dirt & bacteria further under / into a wound - unless you use a lot of water and can control the direction and flow of water. a bag is great.
_________________________
“Everyone should have a horse. It is a great way to store meat without refrigeration. Just don’t ever get on one.”
- ponder's dad
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#107298 - 09/29/07 02:48 AM
Re: Field surgery
[Re: eric_2003]
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Journeyman
Registered: 09/08/05
Posts: 51
Loc: New York City
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Usually, DW = dear wife, DH = dear husband, DS = dear son, DD = dear daughter. (Don't ask!)
_________________________
-- Helen
"Specialization is for insects." -Robert Heinlein
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#107306 - 09/29/07 07:27 AM
Re: Field surgery
[Re: dchinell]
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Carpal Tunnel
Registered: 11/09/06
Posts: 2851
Loc: La-USA
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Interesting situation. I carry a surplus US Army field surgical kit (approx $40) and I need to check my antisceptic wipes. I also carry a 2 per day x 10 days supply of broad spectrum antibiotics. I renew the antibiotics annually through my Dr, who knows me and what my medical experience level is.
Yes, a roll of gauze, tape, ob pads, 3x antibiotic ointment, aspirin, Ace bandage, & an antisceptic goes a long way.
_________________________
QMC, USCG (Ret)
The best luck is what you make yourself!
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#107408 - 09/30/07 08:55 PM
Re: Field surgery
[Re: dchinell]
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Old Hand
Registered: 08/22/01
Posts: 924
Loc: St. John's, Newfoundland
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Maybe I'm being a wuss, but it sounds like you chose not to cut your trip short to go and seek medical help. Is this correct? If so, did you consider going back to find a doctor?
If it's Algonquin Park in Ontario, Canada that you are referring to (that's the only one I'm aware of), you were about 2 days by canoe, and probably several hours after that by car, from the nearest medical clinic. So if you continued on for another 2 days, that could put you 4 days from help if the infection turned really bad (e.g. necrotizing fasciitis, or the superbug that killed Jim Henson, or something like that).
Maybe I misunderstood, or maybe I'm just being a wuss.
I'm not criticizing, since I wasn't there and I don't know how bad the injury was. But I'm curious whether you thought about going back for help, and if so, how and why did you make the decision not to? (If, in fact, that's what you did.)
_________________________
"The mind is not a vessel to be filled but a fire to be kindled."
-Plutarch
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#107918 - 10/06/07 03:50 AM
Re: Field surgery
[Re: paramedicpete]
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Newbie
Registered: 02/07/07
Posts: 31
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While likely a small concern, it still is a concern never the less. Bacteria from your mouth will have contaminated the mouthpiece and if the tube does not have a check valve installed, your reservoir as well could be contaminated. Not necessarily a big deal, just something of which to be aware.
Pete
Probably a good idea to submerge the hose in boiling water for a little while prior to using it for wound care.
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#107925 - 10/06/07 09:26 AM
Re: Field surgery
[Re: BachFan]
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Pooh-Bah
Registered: 03/08/07
Posts: 2208
Loc: Beer&Cheese country
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Usually, DW = dear wife, DH = dear husband, DS = dear son, DD = dear daughter. (Don't ask!) Yeah, I bet that last one would be pretty well abused if it wasn't in reference to someone's daughter. This tends to be a fairly civil board, however. For those w/o daughters, you can PM me for the "world's greatest daughter joke." 
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#108350 - 10/11/07 02:40 PM
Re: Field surgery
[Re: aardwolfe]
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Newbie
Registered: 02/07/07
Posts: 31
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Maybe I'm being a wuss, but it sounds like you chose not to cut your trip short to go and seek medical help. Is this correct? If so, did you consider going back to find a doctor?
If it's Algonquin Park in Ontario, Canada that you are referring to (that's the only one I'm aware of), you were about 2 days by canoe, and probably several hours after that by car, from the nearest medical clinic. So if you continued on for another 2 days, that could put you 4 days from help if the infection turned really bad (e.g. necrotizing fasciitis, or the superbug that killed Jim Henson, or something like that).
Maybe I misunderstood, or maybe I'm just being a wuss.
I'm not criticizing, since I wasn't there and I don't know how bad the injury was. But I'm curious whether you thought about going back for help, and if so, how and why did you make the decision not to? (If, in fact, that's what you did.)
Those sorts of infections are quite rare. I wouldn't necessarily head home unless a skin or extremity infection was getting worse despite my best efforts (and I usually carry some heavy duty antibiotics with me). In 14 years, I have only seen a single case of necrotizing fasciitis but (obviously) thousands of cases of minor infections that could easily be treated on an outpatient basis. Jim Henson had group A streptoccocal pneumonia that resulted in Streptococcal Toxic Shock Syndrome. Again, extremely rare. However, on a general medical basis, someone with an obvious pneumonia should be be strongly considered for evacuation.
Edited by asfried1 (10/11/07 02:42 PM)
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#108364 - 10/11/07 04:08 PM
Re: Field surgery
[Re: ]
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Journeyman
Registered: 09/13/05
Posts: 53
Loc: Harlan KY
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I've drilled through a nail with the point of a pocket knife blade and it actually works well. One has the ability to control it and not hit the bed as with the hot paperclip (the blood/fluid will issue forth at the first opportunity before that happens). I do understand in this case there was the need to get to foreign matter. I thought that was a great tip to puncture a plastic bottle to squeeze for irrigation. Would have never crossed my mind to do that.
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