[Personal experience in the care of thoracic war injuries 1992-1993]

The aim of this paper was to clear some dilemmas about the surgical treatment of chest injuries. In the period April 1992-December 1993 in the General Hospital of Foca 160 chest injuries were treated (71 penetrating and 89 unpenetrating injuries) that was 10.2% of the total number of injuries. The explosive injuries were 53.8% of cases and 46.2% sclopetary injuries. Those injuries dominated in 93 wounded and in 57 cases the injuries were associated. The isolated injuries were in 40% and combined ones in 60% of cases. Thirty five thoracotomies and 40 thorax drainages were done while on the rest of the wounded only surgical wound treatment was performed. The active immunization and antibiotic prophylaxis were performed on the wounded. The infection problem was present in one operated person and lethality rate was 4.4%. The treatment results were good due to the appropriate organization of the surgical service and timely primary specialist aid as well as sufficient quantity of blood and timely and adequate surgical procedure.