USING THE FAST PROTOCOL IN THE DIAGNOSIS OF CLOSED INJURIES CHEST AND ABDOMEN

Abstract

Aim. To study the possibilities of the FAST protocol (Focused Assessment with Sonography for Trauma)
for express diagnostics and choice of surgical tactics in patients with closed injuries of the chest and abdomen (practical use of the protocol).
Material and methods. 100 victims with closed injuries of the chest and abdomen were selected for the
study. The results of ultrasonographic (US) studies of these patients were compared with injuries determined intraoperatively.
Results. In 83 examined patients, FAST was positive, in 17 it was negative. In 69 patients with FAST positive results, injuries of the thoracic organs of the chest (hemothorax and pneumothorax) were noted,
14 patients had hemiperitoneum, including 9 patients with combined injuries of the organs of the chest
and abdominal cavity. The sensitivity of the FAST protocol was 100%, the specificity was 93%, and the
accuracy was 96%. As a result of using the FAST protocol in patients with injuries of closed injuries of the
thoracic and abdominal cavity, it was possible to completely eliminate the cases of exploratory thoracotomy and laparotomy.
Conclusions. Using the FAST protocol, it was possible to reduce the time during the initial examination,
and also made it possible to choose alternative surgical tactics in each clinical case.