Moore Retreat: Thoracic Great Vessels

Pearls:

- Consider forearm fasciotomies if upper arm ischemia (how?)

- know course of phrenic and vagus nerves as these come into play

Anterior lateral thoracotomy is the defacto incision for any thoracic vascular injury

- if you need access to the other side: Clamshell

- if you need access to proximal great vessels: T-up with a sternotomy +/- supraclavicular trap-door incision

Pneumonectomy in trauma patients is associated with a 95% mortality

- places significant right heart strain that unstable patient won't tolerate