Baby Eagan - NICU Day 32 - Third Surgery

Eagan had another surgery today. It was also a pretty unexpected one. His X-ray showed that the free air in his abdomen had returned. The surgeons decided it was necessary to go back in. They examined all of his intestines again. This time the surgeons found a tear in the duodenum. This is extremely rare to have a perforation in this area. The duodenum is the first portion of the small intestine and connects to the pancreas and gallbladder. They were able to repair the tear and placed two drains. One drain is a Penrose drain. This is a soft rubber tube placed in the incision. The fluid drains on the outside of the tube. The other drain is a Jackson Pratt drain. Also called a bulb drain, this one provides constant suction and the fluid drains into a balloon. Eagan did "pale out" during surgery, or lost all of his color because of a dramatic drop in blood pressure. 

Eagan is still in critical condition. Hopefully he is done with surgeries for a while and can start to get better.

Here is a run-down of his current status:

Weight
Eagan is not currently being weighed. To weigh him, the nurse has to barely lift him off the bed, push a button, and lay him back in the bed. Eagan is too unstable for this right now.

Length 
14" at last measurement
 
Breathing
Eagan is now on the conventional ventilator. His settings are currently at 37 breaths per minute.

Vitals
Eagan's blood pressure is still very low.

 
Vein and Artery Access
The arterial line is still in his head.

Eagan has an IV in his left arm now.

A CVL, central venous line, was placed during surgery.  

His PICC line is in a position that is can be used like an IV for medication. 

 
Medications

Claforan was stopped and Meropenum was restarted today. This is an antibiotic that covers most bacteria from intestinal problems.

Eagan is on Dopamine and Epinephrine for low blood pressure, Vancomycin - an antibiotic, Amphotericin for the yeast infection in his blood, and Synthroid for low thyroid levels.

Nutrition
Eagan's only sources of nutrition right now are his TPN fluids and lipids.

 

Output

Eagan has a foley catheter in place. This was put in right before surgery. His urine output is not good, but once his blood pressure is consistently better, his urine output should increase also. He is now on fluid restriction because the swelling is so bad.

Transfusions

May 11 - Transfusion #17

Thank you for all your love, support and prayers.