[Early treatment of the unstable thorax in polytrauma]

Thoracic trauma represents 12.8% of all trauma patients treated in author's evaluated the contribution of new diagnostic methods, in particular CT and sonography, to determinate the indication of conservative therapy or early surgical treatment. From 1992 in the framework of the grant project the early surgical treatment of instable thorax was performed in 29 patients with polytrauma or severe associated thoracoabdominal trauma. Authors determined indications for thorax stabilisation after serious consideration, and stated contemporary contraindications of this treatment. They evaluated the therapeutic contribution of these methods and prepared in cooperation with the company Medin Nové Mĕsto the set of osteosynthetic material with accessories for treatment of instable thorax.