Minerva chirurgica
-
We aim to assess which group of patients with blunt or penetrating chest trauma will benefit from emergency thoracotomy (ET) and have a good functional outcome. ⋯ Patients most likely to benefit from ET are those with penetrating chest injury, signs of life at scene or on arrival in the ED or pericardial tamponade. Hospitals should develop specific guidelines for emergency thoracotomy for patients with penetrating trauma, pericardial tamponade and witnessed cardiac arrest, as they are most likely to benefit from ET with improved chances of survival and good neurological outcome.