Read firstPractice-changingEvidence update
Emergency thoracotomy: how to do it in 2026
EMJ25 Aug 2026Practice Updates
Clinical takeaway
Use it as a team-training and cognitive-aid update for a rare, time-critical procedure; local activation criteria, equipment and role allocation should be rehearsed before the next case.
EDCritix summary
This updated practical guide integrates current international recommendations with two decades of operational experience, covering indications, survival windows, procedural steps, troubleshooting, human factors and team safety for emergency thoracotomy.