How should you manage an evisceration?

• A. Leave the organ in place and cover with a bulky dressing
• B. Replace organ inside the abdomen
• C. Remove the organ before transport
• D. Wrap the organ in saline gauze and seal

Answer: (A)

When tissue is eviscerated, the priority is to protect the exposed organs and prevent further injury or contamination while arranging rapid transport. The best approach is to leave the organs where they are and cover them with dressings that keep them moist and protected. Gently place sterile dressings moistened with sterile saline over the protruding tissue to prevent drying, then apply a bulky, dry dressing over the area to absorb fluids and immobilize the organs. Do not push the organs back inside the abdomen, and do not remove them or seal the wound. Keep the patient lying flat, warm, and monitored for signs of shock, and transport promptly. These steps preserve tissue viability and reduce infection risk until definitive care.