Posted by Lieutenant Miriam Cross (Chief Medical Officer) in Sickbay -In the OR -
Cross started by making an incisions,after the pt was given a general anesthesia administered in liquid form via an IV ,as an open approach was being used the incision was approximately 4 to 5 inches long ,at this point Cross could hardly visualize the ruptured spleen.

The spleen has many blood vessels. The surgeon will find the blood vessels leading to and from the spleen and place clips on them to stop blood from flowing through to the organ. An open procedure allows the surgeon to see this area directly but with the amount of blood coming out a nurse had to put in a suction tube to clear the area so Cross was able to visualize the area more clearly.

The CMO knew how precarious the situation was,blood infusion was still being squeezed by hand, as the anesthesiologist looked at the vital signs ‘’Blood pressure down,heart beating too fast ‘’ he stated trying to keep calm .

Removal: The spleen was cut away from the other structures of the body, Cross was quick to control the blood supply by ‘’stapler’’ the splenic artery and vein. Once it was free, the spleen was placed in a sterile bag so it could be pulled out of the body. This is done so no pieces of the spleen are able to break off and remain in the abdominal cavity, where they could cause serious infection.

The nurse was on the second blood infusion pressing on the bag to replace the loss of blood,Cross ordered another saline solution which was attached to the other arm.The vital signs were not showing any improvement despite their efforts and then the unthinkable happened …the patient went into cardiac arrest.

Cross CMO.

The anesthesiologist hit the blue code while Cross started chest compression and the nurse still squeezing the blood into the patients arm, the chest is pressed on forcefully. The blue code team burst in and started electric stimulation to the chest and special medicines were used. This is usually done for 15 to 30 minutes. A tube was also put through the mouth and into the lungs which was connected to a breathing machine.

Adrenaline was given as this is the first drug given in all causes of cardiac arrest and should be readily available in all clinical areas.
while Amiodarone.Atropine,calcium chloride and additional drugs were administered.

Cross moved out of the way as the team worked on the patient but there was not enough blood in his circulatory system and despite their best efforts the patient died. Someone was heard saying ‘What a pity’ and another took the CMO aside’’ You do know how precarious a burst spleen could be..its not your fault,its no ones fault’’ the person finished off in a whisper.

But Cross was not having it ‘’Yes it is someone’s fault,the doctor who was suppose to do the triage,he either missed the patient or else did a poor job with scanning him,the patient was left hemorrhaging.

‘’I have to inform the Captain and an inquest mush be held’‘. With those last words she left the OR and headed to her office,sitting down she took some time to compose herself then contacted Glen =/\= Captain its with a heavy heart that I’m informing you we have lost one of our crew ,despite our best efforts he died=/\= she was quick to wipe a tear from across her cheek =/\= Captain I am of the opinion to find out whose negligence it was for the patient demise=/\=.

Cross CMO.