[Early treatment of unstable chest in patients with multiple injuries.]

The authors analyze a group of 11 patients with unstable chest injuries who were subjected in 1994-1996 to internal surgical stabilization of the chest wall. They compare them with a group of 11 consecutive patients from the previous period who were treated by artificial pulmonary ventilation. The basic indicator for evaluation of both groups was the necessary length of assisted ventilation which had an impact on all important parameters, complications and mortality of patients with this injury. Patients in the group with surgical stabilization of the chest wall needed on average three days of assisted ventilation and their mean time spent in the resuscitation department was 10 days. On the other hand, patients in the ventilated group needed on average 15 days of assisted ventilation and spent 25 days in the resuscitation department. The authors recommend in indicated cases an active surgical approach to the treatment of patients with unstable chest injuries. Key words: polytrauma, unstable chest injury, stabilization of the chest wall.