Chest Injuries in Civilian Practice

¹ The Departments of Surgery and Medicine, University of Tennesse College of Medicine, Memphis, Tennessee.

Current practices in the treatment of chest injuries encountered in civilian practice are discussed with some consideration given their physiologic rationale.

Penetrating injuries of the chest wall and lungs, with and without sucking wounds, are discussed in some detail in regard to their emergency treatment and follow-up care.

Crushing injuries to the chest wall, with and without paradoxical motion, are described, together with their potential complications and management.

Detection and treatment of the contused heart, and the heart with a penetrating wound are described.

General consideration of complicating pneumonia, atelectasis, ileus, diaphragmatic hernia, hemothorax and other complications is given.

Recommendations are made in regard to the use of intercostal nerve block for the relief of pain, methods of oxygen administration, and the use of x-ray assistance in the management of all types of chest injuries.