ABSTRACT
Thoracic trauma is a frequent medical consult in emergency rooms. The initial approach is no different than the one used in polytraumatized, oriented by current trauma guidelines resulting of surgery and emergency consensus. Most thoracic injuries can be managed with simple maneuvers such as tube thoracostomy; however, 10% to 15% of patients who present with thoracic trauma require definitive operative repair. This article reviews the most common trauma related thoracic injuries in our medical setting: hemothorax, simple pneumothorax, tension pneumothorax, open pneumothorax, rib fractures, flail chest, lung contusion and cardiac tamponade. We also describe different forms of thoracotomy depending on the physiological status of patient at the emergency room and new treatments. (AU)