Pleural decompression procedural safety for traumatic pneumothorax and haemothorax: Kelly clamps versus fine artery forceps.

A significantly increased force was required to puncture simulated parietal pleura using Kelly clamps compared to fine artery forceps. This higher puncture force will be associated with increased instrument acceleration at the time of pleural puncture, which may result in an increased risk of injury to the underlying lung. Based on these data, clinicians may reduce the risk of pulmonary injury by using fine artery forceps rather than Kelly clamps when performing pleural decompression.