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Venous access is a key component of managing haemorrhagic shock. Obtaining intravenous access in trauma patients is challenging due to circulatory collapse in shock. This literature review examines the feasibility of direct puncture and cannulation of the brachiocephalic veins (BCVs) for intravenous access in shocked adult trauma patients. Three literature searches were conducted. OVID Medline was searched for articles on the use of the BCVs for venous access in adults and on the BCVs in shock. A third systematic search of OVID Medline, OVID Embase and Cochrane Library was conducted on the use of the BCVs for access in shocked trauma patients. After full‐text review, 18 studies were selected for inclusion for the search on the use of the BCVs for access in adults. No studies met the inclusion criteria for the search on the BCVs in shock and BCV access in shocked trauma patients. The BCVs are currently used for central venous access, haemodialysis and totally implantable venous access devices (TIVADs) in adults. There is a preference for the right BCV (RBCV) over the left as the RBCV is more superficial, straighter, larger, has less anatomical variation and avoids the risk of thoracic duct puncture. The BCVs appear to be stabilised in shock by surrounding bony structures. The BCVs may provide a site for initial, rapid access in trauma resuscitation. Further research is required to determine if the BCVs collapse in shock and if venous access using the BCVs is feasible in a trauma resuscitation setting. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: Haemorrhagic shock is a life-threatening complication of trauma, but remains a preventable cause of death. Early recognition of retroperitoneal haemorrhage (RPH) is crucial in preventing deleterious outcomes including mortality. Injury to the 9-11th intercostal arteries (i.e. arteries of the lower thoracic region) are complicit in RPH. However, the associated injuries, implications and management of such bleeds remain poorly characterised. Methods: We performed a retrospective review of the medical records of patients diagnosed with RPH who presented to our level-1 trauma centre (2009-2019). We described the associated injuries, management and outcomes relating to RPH of the lower thoracic region (the 9-11th intercostal arteries) from this cohort to identify potential predictors and evaluate the impact of early identification and management of non-cavitary bleeds. Results: Haemorrhage of the lower intercostal arteries (LIA) into the retroperitoneal space is associated with an increased number of posterior lower rib fractures and pneumothorax/haemothorax. A higher proportion of patients in the LIA group required massive transfusion, angioembolisation or surgical ligation when compared to other causes of RPH. Conclusion: The present study highlights the importance of injury patterns, particularly posterior lower rib fractures, as predictors for early recognition and management of RPH in the prevention of deleterious patient outcomes. RPH secondary to bleeding of the LIA may require early and aggressive management of haemorrhage through massive transfusion, and angioembolisation or surgical ligation when compared to RPH because of other causes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: Inconsistency in the structure and function of team-based major trauma reception and resuscitation is common. A standardised trauma team training programme was initiated to improve quality and consistency among trauma teams across a large, mature trauma system. The aim of this manuscript is to outline the programme and report on the initial perception of participants. Methods: The Alfred Trauma Team Reception and Resuscitation Training (TTRRT) programme commenced in March 2019. Participants included critical care and surgical craft group members commonly involved in trauma teams. Training was sitespecific and included rural, urban and tertiary referral centres. The programme consisted of prescribed pre-learning, didactic lectures, skill stations and simulated team-based scenarios. Participant perceptions of the programme were collected before and after the programme for analysis. Results: The TTRRT was delivered to 252 participants and 120 responses were received. Significant improvement in participant-reported confidence was identified across all key topic areas. There was also a significant increase in both confidence and clinical exposure to trauma team leadership roles after participation in the programme (from 53 [44.2%] to 74 [61.7%; P = 0.007]). This finding was independent of clinician experience. Conclusions: A team-based trauma reception and resuscitation education programme, introduced in a large, mature trauma system led to positive participant-reported outcomes in clinical confidence and real-life team leadership participation. Wider implementation combined with longitudinal data collection will facilitate correlation with patient and staff-centred outcomes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: A supraglottic airway device (SAD) may be utilised for rescue re‐oxygenation following a failed attempt at endotracheal intubation with direct or video laryngoscopy. However, the choice of subsequent method to secure a definitive airway is not clearly established. The aim of the present study was to compare two techniques for securing a definitive airway via the in‐situ SAD. Methods: A randomised controlled trial was undertaken. The population studied was emergency physicians (EPs) attending a cadaveric airway course. The intervention was intubation through a SAD using a retrograde intubation technique (RIT). The comparison was intubation through a SAD guided by a flexible airway scope (FAS). The primary outcome was time to intubation. The trial was registered with ANZCTR.org.au (ACTRN12621000995875). Results: Four EPs completed intubations using both methods on four cadavers for a total of 32 experiments. The mean time to intubation was 18.2 s (standard deviation 8.8) in the FAS group compared with 52.9 s (standard deviation 11.7) in the RIT group; a difference of 34.7 s (95% confidence interval 27.1–42.3, P < 0.001). All intubations were completed within 2 min and there were no equipment failures or evidence of airway trauma. Conclusion: Successful tracheal intubation of cadavers by EPs is achievable, without iatrogenic airway trauma, via a SAD using either a FAS or RIT, but was 35 s quicker with the FAS. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: In response to COVID‐19, we introduced and examined the effect of a raft of modifications to standard practice on adverse events and first‐attempt success (FAS) associated with ED intubation. Methods: An analysis of prospectively collected registry data of all ED intubations over a 3‐year period at an Australian Major Trauma Centre. During the first 6 months of the COVID‐19 pandemic in Australia, we introduced modifications to standard practice to reduce the risk to staff including: aerosolisation reduction, comprehensive personal protective equipment for all intubations, regular low fidelity simulation with 'sign‐off' for all medical and nursing staff, senior clinician laryngoscopist and the introduction of pre‐drawn medications. Results: There were 783 patients, 136 in the COVID‐19 era and 647 in the pre‐COVID‐19 comparator group. The rate of hypoxia was higher during the COVID‐19 era compared to pre‐COVID‐19 (18.4% vs 9.6%, P < 0.005). This occurred despite the FAS rate remaining very high (95.6% vs 93.8%, P = 0.42) and intubation being undertaken by more senior laryngoscopists (consultant 55.9% during COVID‐19 vs 22.6% pre‐COVID‐19, P < 0.001). Other adverse events were similar before and during COVID‐19 (hypotension 12.5% vs 7.9%, P = 0.082; bradycardia 1.5% vs 0.5%, P = 0.21). Video laryngoscopy was more likely to be used during COVID‐19 (95.6% vs 82.5%, P < 0.001) and induction of anaesthesia more often used ketamine (66.9% vs 42.3%, P < 0.001) and rocuronium (86.8% vs 52.1%, P < 0.001). Conclusions: This raft of modifications to ED intubation was associated with significant increase in hypoxia despite a very high FAS rate and more senior first laryngoscopist. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The wide‐spread use of an initial 'Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) 8 or less' to define and dichotomise 'severe' from 'mild' or 'moderate' traumatic brain injury (TBI) is an out‐dated research heuristic that has become an epidemiological convenience transfixing clinical care. Triaging based on GCS can delay the care of patients who have rapidly evolving injuries. Sole reliance on the initial GCS can therefore provide a false sense of security to caregivers and fail to provide timely care for patients presenting with GCS greater than 8. Nearly 50 years after the development of the GCS – and the resultant misplaced clinical and statistical definitions – TBI remains a heterogeneous entity, in which 'best practice' and 'prognoses' are poorly stratified by GCS alone. There is an urgent need for a paradigm shift towards more effective initial assessment of TBI. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article offers information on procedure itself is not technically difficult and could simply be thought of as an extended thoracostomy. Topics include the blunt chest trauma with ultrasound evidence of tamponade physiology with cardiac arrest and evidence of cardiac activity, and the strong clinical suspicion of cardiac tamponade in the setting of chest trauma with systolic blood pressure.

The article focuses on decompressive craniotomy. Topics include the patient described above has a very high likelihood of death, or poor neurological outcome has raised intracranial pressure from the extradural haematoma (EDH) cannot be relieved promptly, and the inter-hospital transfer times in Australia can be long even under the most ideal circumstances.

The article presents questions and answers related to Orbital decompression including how patients with facial trauma can have eye injuries that look severe; and how they have presented soon after their injury and transfer them to the major trauma center with ophthalmologist.

The article presents questions and answers related to large-caliber central access via the subclavian vein, including situations that require inserting a large-caliber central venous line, patient positioning and the benefits of an ultrasound-guided internal jugular or femoral line.

The article offers information on the procedure and equipment required for performing Resuscitative Hysterotomy in the event of cardiac arrest during pregnancy. Topics include the method of conducting the operation, the post operative care for resuscitation of mother and baby, and the method to create a resuscitative hysterotomy trainer known as Mildred.