The surgeon's use of ultrasonography in the trauma setting

Ultrasound has been used extensively in Europe, particularly Germany (6,29,48), and recently in the United States (43-45,50), in the diagnostic evaluation of patients with blunt injuries. Its unique qualities make it particularly useful in the emergent setting. The test may be limited, however, in patients with obesity, subcutaneous emphysema, or open wounds. Scanning for the presence of hemoperitoneum is not technically difficult, and with the new high-resolution scanners, operator dependence is minimized. Once the FAST is learned and the principles of ultrasound are understood, other skills such as intraoperative ultrasound, a natural extension of the surgeon's abilities, can be developed.