Medicaltalks about 6 years ago

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Emergency exploratory thoracotomy done after a traumatic chest injury! 

Thoracotomy is performed by surgeons to resuscitate a major trauma by gaining access to the thoracic organs (heart, lungs, esophagus, thoracic aorta or anterior spine).It is indicated in cases of cardiac tamponade, a medical emergency that requires urgent drainage of the accumulated pericardial fluid, or to locate an aortic dissection and to control injury-related bleeding from the heart. Almost all survivors of emergency thoracotomy suffer isolated injuries to the thoracic cavity. Cardiac injuries have the highest survival rates, with improved outcome for single chamber versus multiple chamber injuries. Injuries to the great vessels and pulmonary hila carry a much higher mortality and injuries to the chest wall rarely require emergency thoracotomy.