Pneumothorax and needle size

[JMedSim]

Hello All,

I recently heard that the ideal sized needle for a needle thoracostomy is 3.25 inches. This hits the pleural space 99% of the time, while a 2 inch needle has around a 65% success rate and a 1.75 inch needle has a 50% success rate.

For all the EMT and Paramedics, have you all starting carrying a 3.25 inch angiocath or do you use a different size as a standard.

Thanks

[fiznat]

Yeah we fairly recently got the longer ones. I've used the shorter ones before though with no problem... maybe that patient was just inside that lower percentile I donno.

[island emt]

There was a study recently [can't find it right now] that showed with the increase in adipose tissue being packed on by many current generations , that the shorter needles won't reach the depth of penetration needed. Makes sense to me!

[JMedSim]

Do you think that all or most EMT and Paramedic facilities upgraded their trucks to include longer needles?

[CBEMT]

We've got commercially-made kits at both of my agencies, and I can't see the people with the checkbook replacing them until used. Which we've never had to do.

[FormerEMSLT297]

longer needles are usually better,,,, we too use the pre-packages kits, but in a pinch i have some 3" 14 g angios set aside

[kyle308]

we have 3.25 14g needles we use. we just keep them taped up on th wall above the airway seat for easy access when needed

[croaker260]

We use 3.25 inch 10 G for needle crics (if we just dont do surgical) and needle chest decompression.

[FormerEMSLT297]

we have 3.25 14g needles we use. we just keep them taped up on th wall above the airway seat for easy access when needed

Yup, I'm pretty sure we have the same ones,, 14 g 3.25 or 3 1/4"

[mobey]

14 g 3.25 or 3 1/4"

Well.. which is it? 3.25 or 3 1/4?

Man I need some calls.