RESUMO
INTRODUCTION: Up to 50% deaths due to fatal injuries result from thoracic injuries. Approximately 10-15 % of the injuries require thoracotomy. AIM OF THE STUDY: Indications and outcome of the surgery were assessed, based on the restrospective analysis data from subjects operated for blunt and penetrating thoracic injuries. SUBJECTS, METHODOLOGY AND RESULTS: 85 patients were operated for blunt or penetrating thoracic injuries during the period from 2000 to May, 2006. Urgent procedures for blunt thoracic injuries were performed in 13 subjects, and for penetrating injuries in 52 subjects. Immediate thoracotomy was indicated in 4 subjects suffering from stab injuries of the heart. 16 subjects were operated consequently for posttraumatic intrathoracic complications in blunt thoracic injuries. 4 subjects exited early postoperatively (4.7 %). CONCLUSION: The aim of urgent surgical interventions is to manage the major bleeding source (heart or large vascular injury), lungs, air leakage (tracheal or bronchial injuries) and diaphragmatic injuries. Irreversible hypovolemic shock in penetrating thoracic injuries and serious related injuries in blunt traumas resulted in peroperative and postoperative mortality.
