RESUMO
BACKGROUND: Report of our experience and outcome of a case of severe thoracoabdominal injuries by motorized sawing machine (a rare cause) in a Semi-Urban temporary University Teaching Hospital. METHOD: Literature review on the topic was done using Pubmed. Relevant journals and topics were also reviewed. Textbooks on relevant topics were also searched. RESULTS: A 25 year old male timber-cutter was traumatized by motorized sawing machine injuring the left half of the chest, upper abdomen, the left shoulder and left hand. It is an unusual presentation of penetrating thoracoabdominal injury. There was open pneumotharax, 3th-8th ribs fractures, diaphragmatic laceration, and eviscerations of abdominal contents without affecting other thoraco-abdominal organs. Urgent surgical intervention done was the only option. CONCLUSIONS: The challenges posed by severe motorized sawing machine thoraco-abdominal injuries in a Semi-Urban temporary University Teaching Hospital were successfully managed due to rapid pre-hospital transfer and co-ordinated team effort.
