Journal of the Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh
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Impalement is an uncommon injury with only occasional reports in the literature. There are even fewer reports of impalement injuries limited to the thorax. ⋯ The precise nature and extent of the injury were determined pre-operatively by computed tomography and aortography. The important principles of surgical management contributing to the successful outcome are described, these being minimal manipulation of the impalement object before and during transport, careful pre-operative planning and a multidisciplinary approach.