Der Chirurg; Zeitschrift für alle Gebiete der operativen Medizen
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In most cases blunt chest trauma leads to fractures of the bony thorax, i. e. ribs. In the case of accompanying hemothorax or pneumothorax initial management consists of chest tube drainage by mini-thoracotomy. ⋯ Penetrating trauma is always surgically treated and the foreign body is removed in the operating room (OR). Life-threatening conditions, such as tension pneumothorax have to be treated by thorax drainage prior to hospital admission.