Use of Somatic Oximetry in Traumatic Organ Injuries

Abstract

Somatic oximetry, despite its frequent application in the clinical assessment of trauma patients, suffers from a notable dearth of randomized controlled trials, leading to an absence of systematic reviews or a defined level of evidence pertaining to its clinical utility. Somatic oximetry can provide information not only in direct monitoring of traumatized tissue but also in monitoring standardized areas such as the thenar region, shedding light on compensatory mechanisms of the body. The employment of the vascular occlusion test in somatic oximetry affords dynamic measurements, presenting a valuable tool for assessing the efficacy of diverse therapeutic interventions. Recent research findings establish that somatic oximetry plays a pivotal role in gauging the need for resuscitation during the initial evaluation of trauma patients. Furthermore, its application extends to monitoring oxygenation levels in damaged extremities and superficially located internal organs, particularly in the pediatric population. Despite the demonstrated benefits, a significant impediment to the widespread adoption of standardized somatic oximetry, specifically utilizing StO2, arises from the prevalent practice of amalgamating data from trauma and cardiac arrest patients. This practice hinders the establishment of a standardized evaluation protocol before the completion of resuscitation efforts. Consequently, the potential of somatic oximetry in mitigating secondary damage remains inadequately explored and warrants further rigorous scientific investigation.