RÉSUMÉ
Background: Asymptomotic stab wounds in the chest may be complicated if there is a delay
Objective: Determining the incidence of delayed complications and time required to discover. In This follow-up study, 92 patients,admitted to Shahid Rajaee hospital between September 2000 and april 2001, were studied. They were observed in hospital for 24 hours. Clinical examination and chest radiography were performed at the time of admission, 6 hours and finally 24 hours later
Findings: Of 92 patients with 98 thoracic wounds,six [6.1%] were complicated by pneumothorax, hemothorax or pneumothorax. All of these complications showed themselves in the first 6 hours period. No additional complications were revealed after that time
Conclusion: To reveal the delayed complications, 6 hours observation in hospital seems to be sufficient