RT Journal Article
SR Electronic
T1 Emergent needle thoracostomy in prehospital trauma patients: a review of procedural execution through computed tomography scans
JF Trauma Surgery & Acute Care Open
JO Trauma Surg Acute Care Open
FD BMJ Publishing Group Ltd
SP e000752
DO 10.1136/tsaco-2021-000752
VO 6
IS 1
A1 Michael M Neeki
A1 Christina Cheung
A1 Fanglong Dong
A1 Nam Pham
A1 Dylan Shafer
A1 Arianna Neeki
A1 Keeyon Hajjafar
A1 Rodney Borger
A1 Brandon Woodward
A1 Louis Tran
YR 2021
UL http://tsaco.bmj.com/content/6/1/e000752.abstract
AB Background Traumatic tension pneumothoraces (TPT) are among the most serious causes of death in traumatic injuries, requiring immediate treatment with a needle thoracostomy (NT). Improperly placed NT insertion into the pleural cavity may fail to treat a life-threatening TPT. This study aimed to assess the accuracy of prehospital NT placements by paramedics in adult trauma patients.Methods A retrospective chart review was performed on 84 consecutive trauma patients who had received NT by prehospital personnel. The primary outcome was the accuracy of NT placement by prehospital personnel. Comparisons of various variables were conducted between those who survived and those who died, and proper versus improper needle insertion separately.Results Proper NT placement into the pleural cavity was noted in 27.4% of adult trauma patients. In addition, more than 19% of the procedures performed by the prehospital providers appeared to have not been medically indicated.Discussion Long-term strategies may be needed to improve the capabilities and performance of prehospital providers’ capabilities in this delicate life-saving procedure.Level of evidence IV.Data are available upon reasonable request. Data are available as deidentified data upon request. Please contact the corresponding author at michaelneeki@gmail.com.