Trauma Resuscitation — Considerations for Pediatric eFAST — Clinical Pathway: Emergency

Trauma Resuscitation Clinical Pathway — Emergency Department

Considerations for Pediatric eFAST (extended Focused Assessment with Sonography for Trauma)

  • Routine use of eFAST to evaluate pediatric trauma with concern for intra-abdominal injury is not supported by current evidence.
  • Obtaining eFAST should not impede advancing to definitive care in unstable patients.
eFAST
extended Focused Assessment with Sonography for Trauma
  • Examines
  • Lungs
  • Heart
    • 4 abdominal locations:
      • Right upper quadrant
      • Left upper quadrant
      • Xiphoid region
      • Pelvis
  • Unstable Patients
    • Can be used to quickly assess unstable trauma patients to identify injuries and help triage imaging, bedside procedures and emergent operative interventions as it can identify:
      • Intraperitoneal fluid
      • Pneumo or hemothorax
      • Hemopericardium
    • Stable Patients
      • Does not reliably detect solid organ injury
      • CT imaging is required regardless of FAST results

Reference

Levy JA, Bachur RG. Bedside ultrasound in the pediatric emergency department.