SAM ThoraSite en emergencia: innovación tecnológica para el abordaje rápido del neumotórax

Pneumothorax can rapidly compromise respiratory and haemodynamic function, and needle decompression or tube thoracostomy depend on correct identification of the intercostal space. The study therefore aimed to analyse the available scientific evidence on technological innovations aimed at improving anatomical localisation during chest decompression, with emphasis on the SAM ThoraSite device. A PRISMA-guided literature review was conducted in PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science and Google Scholar. Insertion at an incorrect site and catheters of insufficient length explained many failures, complications included malposition, lung injury and haemorrhage, and ThoraSite improved accuracy in locating the fifth intercostal space. It was concluded that these devices are promising, although they require clinical validation.