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Pre-hospital and Emergency Department Resuscitative Thoracotomy

This intensive one-day course focuses on the resuscitative thoracotomy and how to apply this technique in trauma resuscitation.

You will be able to practice surgical skills using animal tissue as well as learning approaches to decision-making and damage control, with an emphasis on working as part of the trauma team.

This course is led by a highly skilled faculty of surgeons and emergency medicine physicians, all highly experienced in performing and managing resuscitative thoracotomy.

RCS England membership entitles you to a 10% discount on this course at partner centres. Find out if you're eligible to join or transfer

To see a list of our current Pre-hospital and Emergency Department Resuscitative Thoracotomy course centres please click here (correct as of May 2020)

  • £650.00
  • 1 day
  • 6.00 CPD Points
£650.00
1 day
6.00 CPD Points

Suitability

This course is suitable for: CT2, ST3-8 and SAS grades.

Learning Outcomes

By the end of the course, you should be able to:

  • Explain the principles and decision-making process for when a resuscitative thoracotomy is indicated.
  • Identify anatomy relevant to resuscitative thoracotomy.
  • Manage the arrested patient as part of the trauma team before and during resuscitative thoracotomy.
  • Describe the preparation needed for a resuscitative thoracotomy, including effective team resource management.
  • List the four stages of dealing with cardiac injury through resuscitative thoracotomy.
  • Perform the following procedures at a level appropriate to your level of training:
    • Clamshell thoracotomy
    • Opening the pericardium
    • Internal massage of the heart
    • Repairing a hole in the heart
    • Key non-cardiac interventions
  • Manage the post-procedural patient.

Format

This course combines practical skills workshops using animal (porcine) tissue with lectures, decision-making scenarios and case based discussions.

Additional Information

Course content

You will cover a variety of topics during this course, including:

  • Resuscitative thoracotomy
  • Closing up and managing post-operative patients
  • Internal defibrillation
  • Repairing a hole including:
    • Suturing inside the chest
    • Pledgeted sutures
    • Skin staples
  • Non-cardiac injury including:
    • Mobilising a lung
    • Lung twist
  • Injuries to the heart:
    • Basic tissue handling techniques
    • Improving access

Take a look at a sample Pre-Hospital and Emergency Department Resuscitative Thoracotomy programme.

10% discount on this course for RCS England members

Members, fellows and associates benefit from a 10% discount on this course when held at our Education Centre in London. 

Your discount will be applied automatically when booking. 

Find out more about joining today.

Booking Options

Partner Centres

Mon
27
Jan
2025
£749.00
LONDON, United Kingdom

27 Jan 2025

£749.00

Pricing notes:

Full price: £749.00
All Current ATLS Instructors: £674.10
All Current Surgical Faculty: £674.10
RCS Affiliates: £674.10
RCS England Members/Fellows: £674.10
RCS England Surgical Associates: £674.10

Course Fees:

Please note, for courses held at the College, we require full payment upon booking. Take a look at our cancellation policy first.

For regional and international course payments and terms & conditions, please contact the relevant centre.

LONDON, United Kingdom

Location:

RCS - Bjorn Saven Centre for Surgical Education
35-43 Lincoln's Inn Fields
LONDON
WC2A 3PE
United Kingdom
education@rcseng.ac.uk
020 7869 6300
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Tue
28
Jan
2025
£749.00
LONDON, United Kingdom

28 Jan 2025

£749.00

Pricing notes:

Full price: £749.00
All Current ATLS Instructors: £674.10
All Current Surgical Faculty: £674.10
RCS Affiliates: £674.10
RCS England Members/Fellows: £674.10
RCS England Surgical Associates: £674.10

Course Fees:

Please note, for courses held at the College, we require full payment upon booking. Take a look at our cancellation policy first.

For regional and international course payments and terms & conditions, please contact the relevant centre.

LONDON, United Kingdom

Location:

RCS - Bjorn Saven Centre for Surgical Education
35-43 Lincoln's Inn Fields
LONDON
WC2A 3PE
United Kingdom
education@rcseng.ac.uk
020 7869 6300
View in Google Maps

You need to allow targeting cookies to view this content. Click the button below to manage your cookie settings and select "Targeting Cookies" on the left hand side.

Book online

Book online

Have an account?

It's even easier when you login

Login & Book Login & Book
Not got an account?

Don't worry, continue and we'll create an account for you.

Continue to Booking

Book online

Have an account?

It's even easier when you login

Login & Book Login & Book
Not got an account?

Don't worry, continue and we'll create an account for you.

Continue to Booking
Mon
09
Jun
2025
£749.00
LONDON, United Kingdom

09 Jun 2025

£749.00

Pricing notes:

Full price: £749.00
All Current ATLS Instructors: £674.10
All Current Surgical Faculty: £674.10
RCS Affiliates: £674.10
RCS England Members/Fellows: £674.10
RCS England Surgical Associates: £674.10

Course Fees:

Please note, for courses held at the College, we require full payment upon booking. Take a look at our cancellation policy first.

For regional and international course payments and terms & conditions, please contact the relevant centre.

LONDON, United Kingdom

Location:

RCS - Bjorn Saven Centre for Surgical Education
35-43 Lincoln's Inn Fields
LONDON
WC2A 3PE
United Kingdom
education@rcseng.ac.uk
020 7869 6300
View in Google Maps

You need to allow targeting cookies to view this content. Click the button below to manage your cookie settings and select "Targeting Cookies" on the left hand side.

Book online

Have an account?

It's even easier when you login

Login & Book Login & Book
Not got an account?

Don't worry, continue and we'll create an account for you.

Continue to Booking

Further information and queries

Email

Phone us

Call 020 7869 6300 to talk with a member of our team. 

We are available to answer calls during our working hours of 8.30am–5:00pm, Monday–Friday and there is a voicemail outside this time.