Emergency thoracotomy. Issue 2 (June 1986)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Champion, H R; Danne, P D; Finelli, F
• Is Part Of: Emergency medicine journal. Volume 3:Issue 2(1986)
• Page Start: 95
• Page End: 99
• Publication Date: 1986-06
• Subjects: Emergency medicine -- Periodicals; 616.02505
• DOI: 10.1136/emj.3.2.95
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1472-0205

Abstract

Abstract : Eighty-nine consecutive trauma patients, who were treated at one institution and received emergency thoracotomy, were studied. Although 76 (85%) of the patients had no vital signs at hospital arrival, 15 (17%) patients survived the emergency thoracotomy to progress to other hospital treatments. Ten patients were ultimately discharged, nine of whom have normal functions. Maintaining a broad set of indications for emergency thoracotomy may increase survival amongst trauma patients for whom the procedure is indicated.