Integration of FAST/e-FAST Ultrasound Into Advanced Trauma Life Support (ATLS) Protocols for the Surgical Management of Abdominal Trauma: A Systematic Review of Its Impact on Mortality, Intervention Times, and Postoperative Outcomes.
Cureus · 2026-01-01 · Systematic review
Abstract
The use of Focused Assessment with Sonography in Trauma/extended FAST (FAST/e-FAST) ultrasound in Advanced Trauma Life Support (ATLS) protocols is expected to provide a faster and more effective method for diagnosing life-threatening abdominal trauma hemorrhage. Although extensively used in research, quantitative measures of its direct effect on mortality and intervention times are still not consistent. This systematic review combined data from multiple databases (PubMed, Embase, Cochrane, and Scopus; 2000-2025) in accordance with PRISMA 2020. Studies that satisfied the inclusion criteria involved adult abdominal trauma patients in whom FAST/e-FAST was applied within an ATLS pathway and that reported quantitative outcomes on mortality, time to intervention, or postoperative morbidity. The findings from 20 studies suggest that protocolized FAST/e-FAST integration is linked to a significant decrease in time to laparotomy (e.g., a median reduction of 13-15 minutes in prehospital trials and a 64% shorter time in an emergency department randomized controlled trial) and reduced CT use (OR, 0.16). High specificity (98%), with variable sensitivity (74%), indicates that pooled diagnostic accuracy for intra-abdominal free fluid can serve as a powerful rule-in tool. Nevertheless, no consistent and substantial reduction in overall mortality was observed. Embedding FAST/e-FAST into ATLS protocols enhances the efficiency of surgical triage and accelerates time to definitive hemorrhage control, supporting its standardized use in trauma workflows. Its role as a sole rule-out test remains limited, emphasizing the need for continued clinical correlation and operator training.