e. Protruding Organ (Evisceration). Sometimes, part of an intestine or other
organ is forced out through the wound. If an organ is outside the body, do not touch the
exposed organ with your hands or try to push the organ back into the body. If the organ
is lying outside the wound, use a dressing, T-shirt, or other clean, dry material to gently
place the organ on top of the casualty's abdomen near the wound (not on the wound or in
the wound). This is the accepted treatment for open abdominal wounds in combat.
NOTE:
Other techniques include placing eviscerated organs back in to the abdominal
cavity. These techniques are appropriate, but not thoroughly trained in this
course. Once training on advanced techniques is obtained, these procedures
may be utilized.
4-7.
APPLY A DRESSING
After you have exposed the wound and positioned any protruding organ, apply a
dressing to the wound to help absorb the blood and protect the wound from additional
contamination from the environment. If the injury is small, a field dressing is used. If the
injury is large, an abdominal (ABD) dressing should be used. If an abdominal pad is not
available, use an improvised dressing made from the cleanest materials available.
a. Obtain a Dressing. If the wound is small enough so only a field dressing is
needed and the soldier still has a field dressing in his plastic individual first aid case, use
his field dressing in order to conserve your supplies. If he does not have a field dressing
available or if a larger dressing is needed, use a dressing from your aid bag.
b. Open the Plastic Dressing Envelope.
(1)
Use the bandage scissors from your aid bag to cut open the plastic
envelope.
(2) Remove the inner packet (abdominal dressing or field dressing wrapped
in paper) and place the packet where it will not become contaminated.
(3) Cut the other edges of the plastic envelope so the inside (sterile side) of
the envelope can be applied to the wound. Avoid touching the inside surface of the
plastic envelope and keep the inner surface as free from contamination as possible. Cut
the envelope so as to not waste surface area needed to cover the wound.
c. Apply the Plastic Envelope. Place the envelope (sterile inner side down)
over the wound and any protruding organ. The plastic will help to keep the eviscerated
organ and other tissues from loosing moisture.
NOTE:
Do not apply a plastic wrapper if it is contaminated or not large enough to
cover the wound area.]
MD0554
4-4