RT Journal Article SR Electronic T1 Needle thoracostomy for tension pneumothorax: the Israeli Defense Forces experience JF Canadian Journal of Surgery JO CAN J SURG FD Canadian Medical Association SP S118 OP S124 DO 10.1503/cjs.012914 VO 58 IS 3 Suppl 3 A1 LTC Jacob Chen A1 Capt Roy Nadler A1 Maj Dagan Schwartz A1 Col Homer Tien A1 LTC Andrew P. Cap A1 Col Elon Glassberg YR 2015 UL http://canjsurg.ca/content/58/3_Suppl_3/S118.abstract AB Background: Point of injury needle thoracostomy (NT) for tension pneumothorax is potentially lifesaving. Recent data raised concerns regarding the efficacy of conventional NT devices. Owing to these considerations, the Israeli Defense Forces Medical Corps (IDF-MC) recently introduced a longer, wider, more durable catheter for the performance of rapid chest decompression. The present series represents the IDF-MC experience with chest decompression by NT.Methods: We reviewed the IDF trauma registry from January 1997 to October 2012 to identify all cases in which NT was attempted.Results: During the study period a total of 111 patients underwent chest decompression by NT. Most casualties (54%) were wounded as a result of gunshot wounds (GSW); motor vehicle accidents (MVAs) were the second leading cause (16%). Most (79%) NTs were performed at the point of injury, while the rest were performed during evacuation by ambulance or helicopter (13% and 4%, respectively). Decreased breath sounds on the affected side were one of the most frequent clinical indications for NT, recorded in 28% of cases. Decreased breath sounds were more common in surviving than in nonsurviving patients. (37% v. 19%, p < 0.001). A chest tube was installed on the field in 35 patients (32%), all after NT.Conclusion: Standard NT has a high failure rate on the battlefield. Alternative measures for chest decompression, such as the Vygon catheter, appear to be a feasible alternative to conventional NT.