Chest Injuries in Battle Casualties

Abstract

Battle casualties treated as indoor patients at a military hospital between December 89 and December 94 w('re prospectively evaluated. Out of 3640 patients, 388 (10.7%) had chest injuries. Among the 388 patients 190 (48.9%) had haemothorax. Pleurocentesis was the fastest and the most reliable means of establishing the diagnosis of haemothorax. Thoracostomy with supportive care was adequate to manage 75 per cent of these cases which included more than 50 per cent ofthose with massive haemothorax. Twelve patients out ofthe 190 cases (6.3%) who presented with haemothorax needed thoracotomy. The overall mortality in this series was 7 percent MJAFII997; 53 : 111-115

Is Trauma Resuscitation Same as Classical Cardiac Resuscitation?

“…Dear Editor, I read with interest the editorial and the article on management of chest injuries in battle casualties [1,2). The authors are in an enviable position by virtue of having such rich experience inthe field and have brought out the relevant details lucidly.…”