title: Video-assisted thoracoscopy in the evaluation of penetrating thoracic trauma.
abstract: The management of patients who present with penetrating thoracic trauma but are haemodynamically stable may be subjective and imprecise. We report our initial experience with the use of video-assisted thoracoscopy in a series of five patients in whom accurate assessment was achieved and unnecessary thoracotomy avoided.
authors.affiliation: Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Walsgrave Hospital, Coventry.
authors.forename: D A
authors.initials: DA
authors.lastname: Waller
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Hasan
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Bouboulis
authors.forename: G N
authors.initials: GN
authors.lastname: Morritt
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Forty
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011300:Preoperative Care; D013898:Thoracic Injuries / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000601:surgery; D013906:Thoracoscopy; D014741:Video Recording; D014950:Wounds, Penetrating / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000601:surgery; D014951:Wounds, Stab / Q000175:diagnosis