Alternate Site for Needle Decompression The 5th intercostal space at the anterior axillary line is more remote from the heart and great vessels, and An acceptable alternate site is the 4th or 5th using this site may reduce the risk of complications intercostal space at the anterior axillary line. from needle decompression. In a tactical situation, the The 5th intercostal space is located at the level of the lateral approach may be faster and safer given body nipple in young, fit males. armor configuration and ability to reassess. The AAL is located at approximately the lateral The procedure is the same as used at the 2nd intercostal aspect of the pectoralis major muscle. space at the mid-clavicular line. Remember!!! Tension pneumothorax is a common but easily DO NOT MISS THIS INJURY! treatable of preventable death on the battlefield. Diagnose and aggressively! This video presents a pleuroscopic view of a needle decompression performed on a trauma victim with Needle Decompression Works tension pneumothorax and a collapsed lung. The Video courtesy Dr. Oleksandr Linchevskyy of the collapsed lung is dramatic. The Medical Director, Patriot Defence catheter may inflict a little trauma on the lung before it Ukraine gets bent over, but this is acceptable given the benefit accrued from the removal of air from the pleural space and the returned function of the re-inflated lung.
Alternate Site for Needle Decompression An acceptable alternate site is the 4th or 5th intercostal space at the anterior axillary line. The 5th intercostal space is located at the level of the nipple in young, fit males. The AAL is located at approximately the lateral aspect of the pectoralis major muscle. The 5th intercostal space at the anterior axillary line is more remote from the heart and great vessels, and using this site may reduce the risk of complications from needle decompression. In a tactical situation, the lateral approach may be faster and safer given body armor configuration and ability to reassess. The procedure is the same as used at the 2nd intercostal space at the mid-clavicular line. Remember!!! Tension pneumothorax is a common but easily treatable of preventable death on the battlefield. Diagnose and aggressively! DO NOT MISS THIS INJURY! Needle Decompression Works Video courtesy Dr. Oleksandr Linchevskyy Medical Director, Patriot Defence Ukraine This video presents a pleuroscopic view of a needle decompression performed on a trauma victim with tension pneumothorax and a collapsed lung. The of the collapsed lung is dramatic. The catheter may inflict a little trauma on the lung before it gets bent over, but this is acceptable given the benefit accrued from the removal of air from the pleural space and the returned function of the re-inflated lung.
010303A%20TCCC-MP%20Tactical%20Field%20Care%20%231%20IG%20160603.docx