bandage-green

Resuscitative (Emergency Department) Thoracotomy

Anesthesia Implications

Clinically reviewed by anesthesia providers · Updated

Position : Supine, one arm extended
Time : 5-30 min (very short)
Blood Loss : Very High (500+ ml)
Post-op Pain : High (7-10)
Maintenance Paralytic : Usually none - the patient is typically not anesthetized; give one only once a circulation has returned.
Considerations : Off-site, High Blood Loss, Aspiration risk / Full stomach, Arterial line, Venous Air Embolism

Anesthetic Approaches

1GETT
The Surgery

Left anterolateral thoracotomy - the chest is prepped and opened in the fifth intercostal space with a scalpel and heavy scissors, and the incision can be extended across the sternum into the right...

Continue reading

Read the full surgery post with a free account

Free. It opens every drug, surgery and condition in the library.

Already have an account?