IntroductionTension pneumothorax (tPTX) remains a major cause of preventable death in trauma. Needle decompression (ND) has up to a 60% failure rate.MethodsPost-mortem swine used. Interventions were randomized to 14G-needle decompression (ND, n?=?25), bladed trocar with 36Fr cannula (BTW, n?=?16), bladed trocar alone (BTWO, n?=?16) and surgical thoracostomy (ST?=?11). Simulated tPTX was created to a pressure(p) of 20?mmHg.ResultsSuccess (p?5?mmHg by 120?s) was seen in 41 of 68 (60%) interventions. BTW and BTWO were consistently more successful than ND with success rates of 88% versus 48% in ND (p?.001). In successful deployments, ND was slower to reach p?5?mmHg, average of 82s versus 26s and 28s for BTW and BTWO respectively (p?.001). Time to implement procedure was faster for ND with an average of 3.6s versus 16.9s and 15.3s in the BTW and BTWO (p?.001). Final pressure was significantly less in BTW and BTWO at 1.7?mmHg versus 7?mmHg in ND animals (p?.001).ConclusionBladed trocars can safely and effectively tPTX with a significantly higher success rates than needle decompression. |