Ventilator
Vent is back up from 35% to 40% this morning. Today they're going to do a "Spontaneous Breathing Trial" to see if they can begin the weaning process, but as of yet, they're still letting Bob rest. They have, however, discontinued all of his sedatives! He is still receiving the maximum amount of Fentanyl IV for pain management, which is keeping him very drowsy.
Dehiscence
When a wound ruptures or is separated along a surgical incision line, it's called dehiscence. Right now, that is a concern of the surgeon's, because Bob's layer of muscle that he sewed together yesterday is under stress this morning due to post surgical swelling; Bob's abdomen is very tight.
Vent is back up from 35% to 40% this morning. Today they're going to do a "Spontaneous Breathing Trial" to see if they can begin the weaning process, but as of yet, they're still letting Bob rest. They have, however, discontinued all of his sedatives! He is still receiving the maximum amount of Fentanyl IV for pain management, which is keeping him very drowsy.
Dehiscence
When a wound ruptures or is separated along a surgical incision line, it's called dehiscence. Right now, that is a concern of the surgeon's, because Bob's layer of muscle that he sewed together yesterday is under stress this morning due to post surgical swelling; Bob's abdomen is very tight.
It's a delicate balance they're striving for now, because leaving the ventilator in too long could increase lung fluid, leading to pneumonia and coughing, which would likely cause dehiscence. But weaning Bob off the ventilator too soon could also be problematic, as it will permit Bob to have a greater range of motion and could lead to accidentally pulling abdominal muscle apart. So many what-ifs and if-then scenarios.
Because they also don't want to chance any coughing that might stem from Bob swallowing, they're waiting another 24 hours before trying to give him any liquids, which will still be passed through Bob's NG tube. Giving the muscle tissue as much time to knit together without any abdominal tearing is the goal.
Antibiotics
They removed the powerful Vancomycin last night. Today they've added another antibiotic, Maxipeme. They're continuing with the Flagyl for the fungal infection.
Because they also don't want to chance any coughing that might stem from Bob swallowing, they're waiting another 24 hours before trying to give him any liquids, which will still be passed through Bob's NG tube. Giving the muscle tissue as much time to knit together without any abdominal tearing is the goal.
Antibiotics
They removed the powerful Vancomycin last night. Today they've added another antibiotic, Maxipeme. They're continuing with the Flagyl for the fungal infection.
Post-Surgery Vitals/Stats
- Fever: Overnight, 38.6C/101.5F; this morning, 38.1C/100.5F.
- Blood pressure: Maintaining average of 115/65 without any medical intervention.- Fever: Overnight, 38.6C/101.5F; this morning, 38.1C/100.5F.
- Heart Rate: Overnight was a bit tachycardic at 115-120bpm. This morning it is down to 100 (normal is 80bpm).
Resting with a fan running to help keep his fever at bay.
No comments:
Post a Comment