Primary Survey: Airway, Breathing, and Circulation In this video, we discuss the primary survey in trauma care from the perspective of a trauma surgeon. The primary survey is done at the beginning for every patient to identify life-threatening injuries that require immediate attention. It focuses on three main aspects: airway patency and intubation if necessary, assessing breathing with chest tube placement if needed, and evaluating circulation for signs of shock or cardiac tamponade.
Secondary Survey: Comprehensive Examination "The secondary survey picks up where the primary survey left off by conducting a deliberate and complete examination of all injuries. This includes a head-to-toe assessment to identify any additional injuries or reassess interventions made during the primary survey." Stable patients proceed to CT scan while unstable patients go directly to surgery.