PENETRATING THORACOABDOMINAL TRAUMA

Penetrating injuries to the thoracoabdominal region represent a comple x and diverse population of injuries. The clinician managing such case s must be able to consider all potential injuries, rapidly recognize l ife-threatening sequelae, and precisely diagnose and quickly manage th ese patients. The diverse nature of some of the potential presentation s of patients with penetrating thoracoabdominal trauma is discussed. T he most recent advances and controversies involving the evaluation and management of patients with penetrating thoracoabdominal trauma are a lso discussed.