Nutritional management of a polytrauma patient in an intensive care unit
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)
Material submitted for publication in the South African Journal of Clinical Nutrition (SAJCN) is accepted provided it has not been published elsewhere. Copyright forms will be sent with acknowledgement of receipt and the SAJCN reserves copyright of the material published.
The SAJCN does not hold itself responsible for statements made by the authors.
