Needle Decompression of the Chest

Needle decompression can be considered as a temporising measure while preparing to place a chest tube for a patient with tension pneumothorax. This video is by Cape Town Emergency Medicine
www.eci-sa.org

[@chidreamer]

Super helpful. Thanks 😇

[@brodymac_9930]

Is that above the heart?

[@mimigottfried8604]

duh

[@NOname-gb6en]

No, it's not above the heart and you shouldn't be aiming for the heart, the heart lies medially to that needle since it's more central. That's why you make sure to keep a perpendicular angle, to avoid organ or Major blood vessel damage.

[@mazwyf]

do i leave the needle like that? for how long?

[@nathanielengel5218]

he didnt leave the needle in the chest, just the catheter. And yes, leave the catheter in the chest. A doctor will take it out after administering chest tubes at a hospital.

[@dasdr4594]

No local lignocaine needed

[@hippieab1713]

What if its a fat person .. i mean I would definitely fail

[@SkyeTheGunFox]

Then they will suffer the consequences of their own life decisions.

[@jojuanwinfrey3702]

@@SkyeTheGunFoxwow you guys 😂

[@mimigottfried8604]

Hippieab, not much fat accumulation over the 2nd intercostal space, so it should be just fine, or just use a longer needle. SkyeWilde, thank fuck people like you cannot be doctors, you just get handed a gun and sent to the frontlines to do the bidding of politicians, and when you die fat people should say you are suffering the consequences of your own life decisions.

[@nathanielengel5218]

he is using a short needle used for IVs. NCD needles are about an inch or so longer. Also there is a secondary site on the 5th intercostal anterior axillary line, where less fat and muscle is present.