[Penetrating thoracic injuries. Report of experience in 20 patients]

It is told about twenty penetrating wounds of thorax in the last ten years. They deal with twelve stab wounds, five gunshot wounds and three impalement wounds. The organic lesions are dominated by wounds of lung. Drainage of thorax is chosen as therapy in uncomplicated cases. Thoracotomy was necessary in 6 cases, 5 of them were urgent.