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Emergency Prehospital On-scene Thoracotomy: A Novel Method

Hutan Ashrafian
Thanos Athanasiou

Abstract

The necessity for prehospital thoracotomy is rare, but can be lifesaving. Occasionally an emergency practitioner or surgeon coincidentally arrives at a trauma scene before the arrival of emergency medical teams. In such a circumstance, even when thoracotomy may be indicated, it is not usually performed in view of the lack of equipment (e.g. dissecting tools or rib retractor). We present a novel technique of »L« shape thoracotomy, or Thoraco-sterno-costochondrotomy, whereby in a prehospital setting, and with minimal equipment (such as a penknife) a thoracotomy can be performed with adequate exposure of the heart and great vessels. The similarities of this pragmatic procedure are considered within the context of ancient Aztec and Mesoamerican thoracotomies.

Keywords

emergency; thoracotomy

Hrčak ID:

62852

URI

https://hrcak.srce.hr/62852

Publication date:

30.12.2010.

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