Thorax
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The treatment of chest wall injuries with severe paradoxical movement remains controversial. Intermittent positive-pressure respiration may be appropriate, but in some, especially those requiring exploratory thoracotomy for a visceral lesion, surgical fixation is desirable. We present a simple method using two or three stainless Kirschner wires placed in the chest wall. Results in five cases have been good.
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Haemothorax, haemopneumothorax, and pneumothorax were the most common complications in 85 patients with penetrating stab injuries of the chest. These complications were amenable to conservative treatment by aspiration or drainage of the pleural space. Immediate operation was indicated in 30 cases. ⋯ All 11 deaths occurred in that group in which early operation was indicated, and some could have been averted had the need for operation been suspected early. Seven patients developed an empyema; five were in the group that required immediate surgery and in the other two infection occurred in a clotted haemothorax. Early repair of the associated visceral injuries and complete evacuation of a haemothorax, either fluid or clotted, could reduce the incidence of empyema.