Intraoperative combination of resuscitative endovascular balloon occlusion of the aorta and a median sternotomy in hemodynamically unstable patients with penetrating chest trauma: Is this feasible?

Recent evidence suggests that resuscitative endovascular balloon occlusion of the aorta (REBOA) is an effective life-saving intervention in patients with severe torso trauma. However, the deployment of REBOA in patients with isolated penetrating intrathoracic injuries remains controversial. We propose that a median sternotomy be performed in conjunction with REBOA as a feasible and effective means of hemorrhage control in patients suffering from...