Extra Peritoneal Packing for Exsanguinating Pelvic Hemorrhage: Should We Do It in the Emergency Department?

Background Extra peritoneal packing (EPP) is a quick and highly effective method to control pelvic hemorrhage. Objectives To determine whether EPP can be as safely and efficiently performed in the emergency department (ED) as in the operating room (OR). Methods Retrospective study of 29 patients who underwent EPP in the ED or OR in two trauma centers in Israel 2008-2018. Results Our study included 29 patients, 13 in the ED-EPP group and 16 in the OR-EPP group. The mean injury severity score (ISS) was 34.9 ± 11.8. Following EPP, hemodynamic stability was successfully achieved in 25 of 29 patients (86.2%). A raise in the mean arterial pressure (MAP) with a median of 25 mmHg (mean 30.0 ± 27.5, P Conclusions EPP is equally effective when performed in the ED or OR with similar surgical site infection rates but higher incidence of DVT.