[Chest trauma--a challenge to the general surgeon and chest surgeon for co-operation (author's transl)]

During 1968-1977 86 persons with chest trauma were treated at the Chest Clinic Heckeshorn. Until 1973 only a few cases of, mostly slight, chest injuries were admitted and treatment was mainly concerned with pneumothorax and haemothorax induced by fracture of ribs. Since 1974, however, cases of chest trauma have markedly increased in both number and seriousness of the injury. During the past years 50 patients with chest injuries were treated. They included 6 cases of stab wounds, 4 cases of bullet wounds and one case each of damage to the trachea and bronchial rupture respectively. Thoracotomy was performed in 11 of the 50 patients, in 3 cases to stabilize the chest wall. Willingness to cooperate on the part of the general surgeon has made it possible for the surgically trained lung specialist to participate in chest traumatology.