Seminars in thoracic and cardiovascular surgery
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Semin. Thorac. Cardiovasc. Surg. · Jul 1992
ReviewThe diagnostic and therapeutic approach to chest trauma.
The diagnosis of thoracic injuries is now accomplished by a combination of time-honored techniques and new modalities such as echocardiography, CT, and thoracoscopy. Operative approaches are reserved for exsanguination, significant false aneurysms, tamponade, and perforation of the main aerodigestive tracts.
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The majority of chest injuries in children may be effectively diagnosed and treated in the emergency room area, if an organized plan is followed and a high index of suspicion for specific injuries is maintained. Unique features of pediatric anatomy and physiology require innovative adaptation to provide maximal effective resuscitation. Children in this sense are not merely "little adults." Of those few blunt and penetrating injuries that require operative management, operative techniques do not differ from those employed in adult trauma patients.
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Semin. Thorac. Cardiovasc. Surg. · Jul 1992
ReviewThe multi-injured patient: the Maryland shock trauma protocol approach.
Thoracic trauma will continue to be a major cause of morbidity and mortality in our population. Improvement in ambulance transport systems and prehospital care has improved the salvage rate. It is hoped that earlier recognition, better understanding of the pathophysiology, and improvement in management will further reduce the number of deaths due to thoracic injuries.