| Resuscitative thoracotomy | |
|---|---|
 A left-sided thoracotomy incision, allowing direct access to the pericardium, heart, left hilum and left lung. | |
| Other names | Emergency department thoracotomy |
| eMedicine | 82584 |
A resuscitative thoracotomy (sometimes referred to as an emergency department thoracotomy (EDT), trauma thoracotomy or, colloquially, as "cracking the chest") is a thoracotomy performed to aid in the resuscitation of a major trauma patient who has sustained severe thoracic or abdominal trauma.[1] The procedure allows immediate direct access to the thoracic cavity, permitting rescuers to control hemorrhage, relieve cardiac tamponade, repair or control major injuries to the heart, lungs or thoracic vasculature, and perform direct cardiac massage or defibrillation. The procedure is rarely performed and is a procedure of last resort.[2]: 462 [3]
- ^ November 27, 2012. Resuscitative Thoracotomy. San Diego: The Division of Trauma/Surgical Critical Care/Burns is part of the Department of Surgery, UC San Diego Health System.
- ^ Feliciano DV, Mattox KL, Moore EJ (2012). Trauma (Seventh ed.). New York: McGraw-Hill Professional. ISBN 978-0-07-166351-9.
- ^ Eidt JF, Foreman ML. Bulger EM, Wolfson AB, Collins KA (eds.). "Resuscitative thoracotomy: Technique". www.uptodate.com. Retrieved 2023-07-16.