title: Penetrating thoracic trauma.
abstract: An analysis of 337 wilfully inflicted penetrating thoracic injuries is made. In 22 cases thoracotomy was performed; in 19 cases laparotomy was indicated, ten times for direct trauma and nine times for lesions caused by abdominal stabbing in addition to penetrating thoracic injuries. Eight patients died, one of whom was not operated on. A necrology is presented and it is also concluded from the recent literature that a more aggressive approach, e.g. immediate operation, is indicated for serious penetrating thoracic trauma.
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002648:Child; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013898:Thoracic Injuries / Q000150:complications / Q000401:mortality / Q000601:surgery*; D014948:Wounds, Gunshot / Q000150:complications / Q000401:mortality / Q000601:surgery; D014950:Wounds, Penetrating / Q000150:complications / Q000401:mortality / Q000601:surgery*