After suffering a personal injury, you had your physician examine you. A test revealed you sustained internal bleeding, and you want to learn more about your treatment options.
WebMD explains surgical options for internal bleeding. Once you know your choices, you may work with your medical team to decide which suits you most favorably.
Thoracotomy
Patients with internal bleeding around the lungs or heart could undergo a thoracotomy. During the procedure, a surgeon makes an incision along the breastbone or ribcage to access the chest. Then, the surgeon pinpoints and stops the bleeding to keep vital organs safe.
Exploratory laparotomy
During this procedure, a doctor makes an incision and explores the abdomen. Then, the surgeon uses suture material or a heat probe to treat leaking blood vessels.
Craniotomy
When traumatic brain injuries cause internal bleeding in the skull, doctors make a hole in the bone to ease pressure on the brain and protect the organ from further damage.
Fasciotomy
Personal injury victims who experience internal bleeding in body parts like the thigh may experience high blood pressure. The injury may also restrict blood from flowing to the rest of the limb. To treat the injury, surgeons make a deep incision in the thigh to stop the bleeding and ease the pressure.
Additional treatment options
Rather than surgery, your medical team could recommend a different treatment option for internal bleeding. To keep your blood elevated, you may receive blood transfusions and IV fluids. Rather than try to treat your injuries, your doctor may suggest observing your condition to see if the bleeding stops on its own.
Once you know and better understand all your treatment options for internal bleeding, you take one step closer to protecting your rights.