title: Penetrating injuries of the pleural cavity.
abstract: Two hundred and fifty one cases of penetrating wounds of the chest were studied prospectively. Clinical evidence is presented to show that: basal intercostal drains are adequate to remove both air and fluid from within the pleural cavity; frequent chest radiographs are unnecessary and intercostal drains may be removed on clinical grounds alone; long term antibiotic prophylaxis is unnecessary; eight per cent of those undergoing initial observation will develop a delayed haemothorax or pneumothorax of sufficient size to require drainage; subcutaneous emphysema is of no prognostic significance in the symptomless patient with minimal intrapleural damage on admission; and outpatient follow up is not required.
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D004322:Drainage; D005260:Female; D006491:Hemothorax / Q000209:etiology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010994:Pleura / Q000293:injuries*; D011030:Pneumothorax / Q000209:etiology; D011446:Prospective Studies; D014950:Wounds, Penetrating / Q000150:complications / Q000628:therapy*; D014951:Wounds, Stab / Q000150:complications / Q000628:therapy