Chest trauma

Abstract

This article is a summary of major life-threatening injuries in thoracic trauma. Outlined are the timing, clinical features, necessary investigations and interventions involved with such injuries, within the clinical approach of primary and secondary surveys. The major focus is on immediate resuscitation with some discussion on further management. Injuries included are tension pneumothorax, open pneumothorax, massive haemothorax, pericardial tamponade, aortic injuries, cardiac injuries, lung contusion, flail chest, diaphragmatic injury, airway injury and oesophageal rupture.