Study on 98 chest trauma patients (78% male, 22% female, aged 9-74) were open-operated at Cho Ray hospital and Gia Dinh People hospital, from June 2001 to June 2003. The results showed that: 44% patients had hypovolemic shock-syndrome accompanying with others injuries. There were 2 indications for thoracotomy: emergency thoracotomy and urgent. The most of chest traumas can be preserve treated. The indications for thoracotomy were in special cases. The valuable signs for thoracotomy: hypovolemic shock syndrome, respiratory decompensation and acute pericadial compression. The anterio-lateral thoracotomy was usually used
Thorax ; Wounds and Injuries ; thoracotomy ; Therapeutics