Blunt Thoracic Trauma in the Emergency Department

Blunt Thoracic Trauma in the Emergency Department

Blunt thoracic trauma represents a large portion of trauma related injuries in the emergency department. Join Dr Ware as she discusses a practical approach to initial assessment using the ABCs, highlights the role of imaging (X-ray vs CT), and reviews management of common thoracic injuries.

Read More

Finger Thoracostomy

Finger Thoracostomy

We talked about needle thoracostomy a while back and when we did, we talked about the propensity for the needle to fail.  There are a lot of reasons why the needle could fail to relieve a tension pneumothorax (or to only temporarily relieve a tension pneumothorax).  The needle may be too short to enter the thorax in the first place* or the catheter could kink, allowing reaccumulation of air in the thorax.

Read More