Stake through the chest.
We present a fascinating case of major penetrating trauma to the chest which resulted in a successful outcome. Often such trauma is associated with a poor outcome due to injury to the heart, lungs or major blood vessels with subsequent massive blood loss, pnuemothorax or haemo-pneumothorax. Late complications include infection rarely mediastinitis, empyema and occasionally chylothorax from damage to the thoracic duct.
Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery, The James Cook University Hospital, Marton Road, Middlesbrough, TS4 3BW, UK. amal@doctors.net.uk
Amal K
AK
Bose
Jonathan
J
Ferguson
Steven
S
Hunter
D000063:Accidents, Traffic; D000328:Adult; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D013898:Thoracic Injuries / Q000209:etiology* / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery; D019616:Thoracic Surgical Procedures; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014945:Wound Healing; D014951:Wounds, Stab / Q000209:etiology* / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery