RT Journal Article
SR Electronic
T1 Penetrating injuries of the pleural cavity.
JF Thorax
JO Thorax
FD BMJ Publishing Group Ltd and British Thoracic Society
SP 789
OP 793
DO 10.1136/thx.39.10.789
VO 39
IS 10
A1 Muckart, D J
A1 Luvuno, F M
A1 Baker, L W
YR 1984
UL http://thorax.bmj.com/content/39/10/789.abstract
AB Two hundred and fifty one cases of penetrating wounds of the chest were studied prospectively. Clinical evidence is presented to show that: basal intercostal drains are adequate to remove both air and fluid from within the pleural cavity; frequent chest radiographs are unnecessary and intercostal drains may be removed on clinical grounds alone; long term antibiotic prophylaxis is unnecessary; eight per cent of those undergoing initial observation will develop a delayed haemothorax or pneumothorax of sufficient size to require drainage; subcutaneous emphysema is of no prognostic significance in the symptomless patient with minimal intrapleural damage on admission; and outpatient follow up is not required.