THE MANAGEMENT OF STAB WOUNDS TO THE CHEST - 16 YEARS EXPERIENCE

In a retrospective review of 16 years of admissions to a regional card iothoracic unit, 76 patients were admitted with stab wounds to the che st. Of these wounds, 75% were managed conservatively with tube drainag e and observation and 25% required surgical intervention. 5.2% were ma naged as emergency room thoracotomies, 15.8% as urgent procedures in t he operating theatre and 4% as late procedures. The total mortality wa s 1.3% and was seen in the emergency room thoracotomy group (mortality 25%). The risk if sub-diaphragmatic injury in the presence of chest i njury is highlighted.