What lies beneath: The anaesthetists approach to thoracic trauma
Tracks
Stream One - Plaza Terrace
| Wednesday, March 25, 2026 |
| 3:00 PM - 4:00 PM |
| Plaza Terrace |
Overview
Marcia Fletcher
Speaker
Mrs Marcia Fletcher
The Pink Stethoscope
What lies beneath: The anaesthetists approach to thoracic trauma
Abstract
Thoracic trauma caused by a road traffic accident or penetrating injuries to the thorax can be life threatening and are associated with significant morbidity and mortality in our small animal
patients. This lecture will cover the likely and expected injuries in these intense cases, including the pathophysiology of multiple common forms of thoracic trauma. Pulmonary contusions,
pneumothorax, haemothorax, traumatic myocarditis, traumatic bullae, flail chest and penetrating injuries such as bite wounds all discussed in detail. The expected physical examination findings along with emergency stabilisation techniques are discussed, as well as the anticipated problems and considerations for the anaesthetic management for the thoracic trauma patient.
patients. This lecture will cover the likely and expected injuries in these intense cases, including the pathophysiology of multiple common forms of thoracic trauma. Pulmonary contusions,
pneumothorax, haemothorax, traumatic myocarditis, traumatic bullae, flail chest and penetrating injuries such as bite wounds all discussed in detail. The expected physical examination findings along with emergency stabilisation techniques are discussed, as well as the anticipated problems and considerations for the anaesthetic management for the thoracic trauma patient.
Biography
Marcia is a registered veterinary nurse specialist, thought leader and an international speaker. Having over 20 years’ experience in veterinary anaesthesia, she started her career working for the Massey University Veterinary Teaching Hospital in New Zealand and was the senior anaesthesia nurse there for over 16 years. In 2011 she became New
Zealand’s first Veterinary Technician Specialist in Anaesthesia and Analgesia. She has been awarded New Zealand’s “Vet Nurse of the Year”, and several teaching awards including “Teacher of the Year”. Marcia is also New Zealand’s first RECOVER certified instructor of both basic and advanced CPR, providing CPR training both nationally and internationally. In 2020 Marcia left the university teaching life and created The Pink Stethoscope, her platform to elevate veterinary anaesthesia within the entire veterinary community. Through The Pink Stethoscope she independently provides postgraduate veterinary anaesthesia education, training, webinars, workshops and consultations. Marcia loves all aspects of veterinary anaesthesia teaching. Her passion has always been instilling anaesthesia knowledge to the greater veterinary profession - to make a somewhat challenging subject less stressful, and ultimately to empower veterinary professionals to continue their anaesthesia learning journey.
Away from work Marcia is a busy kiwi mum, enjoying her home life with her husband, daughter, son, and very special “fur-daughter” Minnie the tuxedo cat.
