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Question for the list:
I have tried needle decompression of tension pneumothorax pre hospital with a large bore cannula and found it to be of limited value. I have heard of a technique used by the military in combat where an incision at the site of a chest tube insersion ie 5th intercostal mid axillary with a finger stuck in and removed will do a better job removing air and blood if a formal tube is not available as is sometimes the case in situations where docs are not available and a last ditch effort is made. This is then covered by a three sided dressing. In some cases this is done bilateraly. This is taught to combat medics and special forces I understand - would civilain medics not be able to use this technique? and does anyone on the list know of its efficacy? Comments welcome
I have tried needle decompression of tension pneumothorax pre hospital with a large bore cannula and found it to be of limited value. I have heard of a technique used by the military in combat where an incision at the site of a chest tube insersion ie 5th intercostal mid axillary with a finger stuck in and removed will do a better job removing air and blood if a formal tube is not available as is sometimes the case in situations where docs are not available and a last ditch effort is made. This is then covered by a three sided dressing. In some cases this is done bilateraly. This is taught to combat medics and special forces I understand - would civilain medics not be able to use this technique? and does anyone on the list know of its efficacy? Comments welcome
