Penetrating injuries of the chest: A study of 75 cases between the years 1968 to 1984. The Soroka Medical Center, Beer-Sheva, Israel

The present study includes 75 patients admitted to the emergency room and later hospitalized in the Soroka Medical Center. Of the 75 cases, 34 presented wounds in the chest only, and the remaining 41 also had lesions in other regions of the body. Thirty-four patients were admitted in stable conditions without hemodynamic and respiratory difficulties and 18 cases were in a state of intermediate gravity, presenting significant hemodynamic and respiratory problems. Twenty-three patients arrived in serious condition or shock, suffering from massive hemorrhage and/or severe respiratory difficulties. The treatment applied ranged from pleural evacuatory puncture to emergency surgery in five cases. Sixteen patients underwent surgery in other regions besides the chest. Treatment was administered to arrest bleeding and restore hemodynamic and respiratory stability. In 64 cases (82%), a chest tube was inserted and sufficed to drain the chest, and in this group, it was necessary to insert two tubes in 9 patients and a bilateral drainage in 4 patients. There were no cases of mortality in the 75 cases of this study.