A trauma patient rolls into the bay. CPR started 10 minutes ago. They are pulseless, the entire trauma team is looking to you for leadership, and the thoracotomy tray is prepped and ready. Do you pick up the knife and cut?

Welcome back to the BIG T TRAUMA series. Join Drs. Patrick Georgoff, Teddy Puzio, and Jason Brill for a high-level discussion on the one surgical procedure that trumps them all – the ED thoracotomy. This is episode 1 of 2. In episode 1 we discuss who should get an ED thoracotomy and in episode 2 we cover how to do it.

Listen to learn about the guidelines, signs of life, ultrasound, survival, and when NOT to do an ED thoracotomy.

EAST: https://www.east.org/education-career-development/practice-management-guidelines/details/emergency-department-thoracotomy

WTA: https://www.westerntrauma.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/Resuscitative-Thoracotomy_FINAL.svg

WakeMed Blunt Pulseless Trauma Resuscitation Guideline: https://www.wakemed.org/sites/default/files/hg_features/mercury_standard_layout/031abaa9027e1685ad340ac8f662e86a.pdf

Please visit behindtheknife.org to access other high-yield surgical education podcasts, videos and more.

BIG T Trauma Series Ep. 14 - ED Thoracotomy: The Who

Behind The Knife: The Surgery Podcast