emDocs - June 8, 2020 - By Kieffer C, Doucette R, Rubenstein S, Louthan F
Reviewed by Lew E, Koyfman A and Long B
"Pearls and Pitfalls
- Recognize that wounds within the thoracoabdominal cavity need to be evaluated for both chest and abdominal wounds due to diaphragm movement
- Patients who are stable with a negative FAST may be candidates for local wound exploration and discharged home if the abdominal fascia is not violated. Those with violation of the fascia will require CT imaging.
- Complete a secondary examination of every patient with a stab wound to evaluate for multiple penetrating sites.
- For needle thoracostomy, consider entry at the mid-axillary line at the 5th intercostal space as the chest wall is thinner."