Critical trauma skills and procedures in the emergency department

Injuries and illness associated with major trauma that require lifesaving procedures, such as surgical airway, chest tube thoracotomy, emergency department thoracotomy, early recognition and treatment of compartment syndrome, and venous cutdown, are seen in the emergency department. The emergency medicine physician must be proficient in recognizing these injuries and their associated complications and be able to provide appropriate management. This article discusses the most common trauma-related procedures in which emergency physicians must be proficient. A description of each procedure is discussed as well as the indications, contraindications, equipment, technique, and potential complications.