Injury
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Pneumothorax is a well known immediate complication of penetrating chest injuries, but its late occurrence is not widely recognized. In a retrospective study of 56 patients who sustained stab wounds of the chest, 6 (10 per cent) developed pneumothorax between twelve hours and three days after injury. Combined thoraco-abdominal stab wounds were present in three patients and surgical emphysema was also apparent in three other patients. We conclude that pneumothorax of late onset may be commoner than has been suspected and this emphasizes the need for observation in hospital for 48 h and for serial radiography of the erect chest to detect this dangerous complication.
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A retrospective review of 500 fractures of the tibia was undertaken. In 316 adults we assessed the influence of various forms of violence on the rate of healing and the incidence of complications in fractures of the shaft of the tibia. Other factors pertinent to fracture healing in the shaft of the tibia were also investigated and their relative importance was assessed.