
Procedure: Thoracotomy
Emergency procedure, instructions and discussion: Thoracotomy. Possibly the most terrifying emergency procedure, but also one which carries a high chance of saving a life.

Emergency procedure, instructions and discussion: Thoracotomy. Possibly the most terrifying emergency procedure, but also one which carries a high chance of saving a life.

Emergency Procedure: Thoracotomy. Possibly the most terrifying emergency procedure, but also one which carries a high chance of saving a life.

Resuscitative thoracotomy is a thoracotomy performed prehospital, in the emergency department or elsewhere that is an integral part of the initial resuscitation of a patient; an alternate term is emergency thoracotomy

A chest trauma patient lies before you. When would you perform an emergency thoracotomy? A case-based Q&A approach to the indications and contraindications.