Use of Needle Guide for Dynamic Real-Time Ultrasound-Directed Aspiration of Peritonsillar Abscess in the Emergency Department: A Case Series.

BACKGROUND: Needle aspiration is a common treatment of peritonsillar abscess (PTA). Point-of-care ultrasound (POCUS) can be used to guide this procedure. We describe our experience using a commercially available needle guide attached to an endocavitary ultrasound probe for dynamic real-time POCUS-guided PTA needle aspiration. DISCUSSION: A convenience sample of patients were treated using the needle guide. The primary author (Peter Kumasaka) performed or supervised emergency medicine residents and physician assistants (PAs) for each case in which the needle guide was used. The electronic medical records were abstracted for procedure success, various length of stay (LOS) data, and to determine use of computed tomography imaging and otorhinolaryngologist (ENT) consultation. Dynamic POCUS-guided needle aspiration using the needle guide (DNG) was performed on 8 patients. There were no unexpected return visits to the emergency department (ED) or to the ENT clinic for any of the patients. The median time to perform DNG was 9 min (range 8-17 min). Median LOS was 182 min (range 78-287 min). Median time from POCUS order to patient discharge was 82.5 min (range 66-237 min). Median time from starting procedure to discharge was 43 min (range 18-148 min). CONCLUSIONS: The needle guide is a useful adjunct to assist in PTA drainage. It provided rapid, safe, and efficient care. Additional research is needed to see how this technique compares with more traditional methods of PTA drainage.

A new technique for reduction of a posteriorly dislocated hip joint.

Posterior hip dislocation is commonly seen in the emergency department and requires urgent reduction to help avoid complications. Many techniques have been described to perform the reduction, all aimed at helping the physician gain a mechanical advantage to overcome the bony anatomy and large muscles groups involved. We describe a new technique that utilizes a hydraulic patient lift to help provide the traction force necessary to reduce posterior hip dislocations. The patient is secured to the bed with a strap or sheet tied over their pelvis and then a loop is secured under their popliteal region and secured to the hydraulic lift. The lift is engaged to create the desired traction, allowing the provider to manipulate the hip with adduction/abduction and/or internal/external rotation to achieve reduction. In addition, our method may also allow the provider to task switch more easily between other requirements, such as procedural sedation and attention to the patient's airway, especially in the single coverage emergency department.