[Injuries of the heart and pericardium in thoraco-abdominal wounds]

Forty observations of damaged hearts and pericardium in thoracoabdominal wounds were studied. All the patients were operated on. Causes of diagnostic errors and erroneous choice of surgical methods are analyzed. It is found that 61% of patients with heart damage in thoracoabdominal wounds are admitted to hospitals and given urgent surgical aid. Fifteen patients were examined in the long-term postoperative period.