J Emerg Med
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Comparative Study
Vented Chest Seals for Prevention of Tension Pneumothorax in a Communicating Pneumothorax.
Tension pneumothorax accounts for 3%-4% of combat casualties and 10% of civilian chest trauma. Air entering a wound via a communicating pneumothorax rather than by the trachea can result in respiratory arrest and death. In such cases, the Committee on Tactical Combat Casualty Care advocates the use of unvented chest seals to prevent respiratory compromise. ⋯ HyFin(®), SAM(®), and Sentinel(®) vented chest seals are equally effective in evacuating blood and air in a communicating pneumothorax model. All three prevented tension pneumothorax formation after penetrating thoracic trauma.
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Inadequate treatment of painful conditions in children is a significant and complex problem. The wide range of cognitive abilities associated with a child's age is a particular challenge for providers treating children with painful conditions. ⋯ Young patient age is associated with different analgesic prescription patterns in children treated in the ED for a long bone fracture.