Outcomes and guideline adherence for emergency department thoracotomy: a single-center experience in Saudi Arabia

Given the limited data available on EDT in the MENA region, our study offers important perspectives from a high-volume trauma center in KSA, where the rate of EDT was found to be very low. This low rate is likely due to the predominant injury patterns observed, presenting few candidates who might benefit from the procedure. At the same time, most patients who may have benefited based on guideline recommendations did undergo the procedure. These findings emphasize the need for heightened clinician awareness and systematic decision-making regarding EDT in trauma care. To enhance the generalizability of our findings and assess EDT's utility in regional settings, further research involving larger multicenter registries is necessary in the country and the region.