Needle thoracostomy is an emergency, potentially life-saving, procedure that can be done if tube thoracostomy How To Do Surgical Tube Thoracostomy Surgical tube thoracostomy is insertion of a surgical tube into the pleural space to drain air or fluid from the chest. Pneumothorax that is recurrent, persistent, traumatic, large, under tension... read more 
cannot be done quickly enough.
Indications for Needle Thoracostomy
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Tension pneumothorax Pneumothorax (Tension) Tension pneumothorax is accumulation of air in the pleural space under pressure, compressing the lungs and decreasing venous return to the heart. (See also Overview of Thoracic Trauma.) Tension... read more
that must be decompressed before tube thoracostomy can be done
Contraindications to Needle Thoracostomy
Complications of Needle Thoracostomy
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Pulmonary or diaphragmatic laceration
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Intercostal neuralgia due to injury of the neurovascular bundle below a rib
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Bleeding
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Infection
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Pneumothorax Pneumothorax Pneumothorax is air in the pleural space causing partial or complete lung collapse. Pneumothorax can occur spontaneously or result from trauma or medical procedures. Diagnosis is based on clinical... read more
(if the procedure was done because of falsely suspected pneumothorax) -
Rarely, perforation of other structures in the chest or abdomen
Equipment for Needle Thoracostomy
Additional Considerations for Needle Thoracostomy
Positioning for Needle Thoracostomy
Relevant Anatomy for Needle Thoracostomy
Step-by-Step Description of Procedure
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The preferred insertion site is the 2nd intercostal space in the mid-clavicular line in the affected hemithorax. However, insertion of the needle virtually anywhere in the correct hemothorax will decompress a tension pneumothorax.
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If time permits, prepare the area at and around the insertion site using an antiseptic solution such as chlorhexidine.
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There is rarely time to provide local anesthesia, but if there is, inject 1% lidocaine into the skin, subcutaneous tissue, rib periosteum (of the rib below the insertion site), and the parietal pleura. Inject a large amount of local anesthetic around the highly pain-sensitive periosteum and parietal pleura. Aspirate with the syringe before injecting lidocaine to avoid injection into a blood vessel. Proper location is confirmed by return of air in the anesthetic syringe when entering the pleural space.
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Insert the thoracostomy needle, piercing the skin over the rib below the target interspace, then directing the needle cephalad over the rib until the pleura is punctured (usually indicated by a pop and/or sudden decrease in resistance).
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After doing a needle thoracostomy, insert a chest tube How To Do Surgical Tube Thoracostomy Surgical tube thoracostomy is insertion of a surgical tube into the pleural space to drain air or fluid from the chest. Pneumothorax that is recurrent, persistent, traumatic, large, under tension... read more
as soon as possible.
Aftercare for Needle Thoracostomy
Warnings and Common Errors for Needle Thoracostomy
Tips and Tricks for Needle Thoracostomy
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After removing the needle, the catheter may become blocked by kinking. Kinking is especially likely with smaller catheters, such as 14 and 16 gauges. Some sources recommend using a larger 10-gauge needle and catheter (1, 2, 3 References Needle thoracostomy is insertion of a needle into the pleural space to decompress a tension pneumothorax. Needle thoracostomy is an emergency, potentially life-saving, procedure that can be... read more
).
References for Needle Thoracostomy
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1. Aho JM, Thiels CA, El Khatib MM, et al: Needle thoracostomy: Clinical effectiveness is improved using a longer angiocatheter. J Trauma Acute Care Surg 80(2):272–277, 2016. doi: 10.1097/TA.0000000000000889
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2. Clemency BM, Tanski CT, Rosenberg M, et al: Sufficient catheter length for pneumothorax needle decompression: A meta-analysis. Prehosp Disaster Med 30(3):249–253, 2015. doi: 10.1017/S1049023X15004653
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3. Beckett A, Savage E, Pannell D, et al: Needle decompression for tension pneumothorax in Tactical Combat Casualty Care: Do catheters placed in the midaxillary line kink more often than those in the midclavicular line? J Trauma 2011 71(5 Suppl 1):S408–412, 2011. doi: 10.1097/TA.0b013e318232e558
