Penetrating chest wounds: a 10-year review

From January 1975 to December 1984, 93 patients with penetrating chest wounds were admitted to three hospitals in Regina. Sixty-three percent of the wounds were caused by knives and 34% by firearms. Sixty-three patients were treated conservatively, 18 patients had thoracotomy and 12 others underwent laparotomy. Of the 18 patients, 16 had wounds between the nipples; 8 of the 16 had injuries to the heart or great vessels. Whereas the majority of penetrating wounds to the chest may be treated by observation or thoracostomy alone, a surgical approach is recommended when penetrating injuries are thought to have traversed the mediastinum, because of the high incidence of associated cardiac injuries. In doubtful cases the decision should favour early thoracotomy.