Resuscitative Thoracotomy for Organ Donation

Abstract

The overall survival of patients undergoing resuscitative thoracotomy (RT) following traumatic arrest is poor. Additionally, the rate of organ donation in all trauma patients continues to be low. Furthermore, only a small number of patients who have suffered traumatic arrest treated with RT go on to become organ donors. Because of the ongoing need for organ donors, there is a growing interest in the study of donation in patients who have undergone RT. To date, this body of literature remains small. This chapter provides a brief review of organ donation in trauma patients followed by a review of the available literature on organ donation in patients who have undergone RT. Lastly, in light of this discussion, we provide our practice pattern and insight into RT for trauma patients at our own level I trauma center.KeywordsResuscitative thoracotomy (RT)TraumaOrgan donation