Penetrating thoracic trauma in arrow injuries

Abstract

Arrow wounds are very rare. We present herein a case of hilar penetrating thoracic trauma caused by an arrow, and a review of the literature, to clarify the management of these cases and their indications for surgery. Depending on the type of arrowhead, the tissue elasticity can narrow the wound track around the shaft of the arrow, sometimes causing a tamponade effect. In the mediastinal or hilar area, an arrow should not be removed before an injury to the major blood vessels or the heart has been ruled out.