Highlights of the history of nonpenetrating chest trauma
1Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, Bethesda, Maryland.
Abstract:
The basic principles of the pathology, physiology, diagnosis, and management of nonpenetrating chest trauma evolved to a significant degree before World War II. The advances in the past 40 years include more frequent use of endotracheal intubation, improved ventilatory assistance, better control of blood volume, antibiotics, the clinical application of blood-gas studies, diagnostic imaging, and specialized nursing and monitoring in intensive care units. Thus, the improvement in survival is not primarily attributable to operative measures but rather to enhanced supportive measures.
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