Nutritional management of a polytrauma patient in an intensive care unit

  • Lisa Burgdorf

Abstract

A 32-year-old male was admitted to hospital with multiple injuries following a quadbike accident. Treatment of the patient included a left arm amputation, a right hemicolectomy and end ileostomy, and the orthopaedic management of a left femur fracture and degloving injury. The patient subsequently spent eight weeks in the intensive care unit, developing a series of complications including acute kidney injury, multiple electrolyte abnormalities, pneumonia and prolonged feed intolerance. Nutritional management required several restrictions and achieving goal nutrition was difficult. A suspected diagnosis of superior mesenteric artery syndrome was not confirmed but provided an interesting new aspect to intensive care nutrition at this facility.


Keywords: hemicolectomy, ileostomy, nutritional imbalance, superior mesenteric artery syndrome (SMAS)

Published
2021-11-26
How to Cite
Burgdorf, L. (2021). Nutritional management of a polytrauma patient in an intensive care unit. South African Journal of Clinical Nutrition, 34(4), 157-160. Retrieved from http://sajcn.co.za/index.php/SAJCN/article/view/1578
Section
Case Study