Results of Thoracotomy in Penetrating Chest Trauma

Background: Thoracotomy is a surgical procedure to access the chest components, which is often performed after severe bleeding caused by heart damage, lung laceration and other similar injuries. Materials and Methods: This is a cross-sectional study which was conducted on all patients with penetrating chest trauma during April 2000 to October 2008. Results: In 5% of cases, thoracotomy was used for treatment in which severe bleeding was the main surgical indication. It was the most common finding followed by lung laceration thoracotomy. Conclusion: Most urban injuries are treatable by chest tube. About 3 to 10 percent of cases may require a thoracotomy in which severe bleeding is the most common indication of surgery.