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Review
. 2009 Jun;155(2):87-93.
doi: 10.1136/jramc-155-02-02.

Emergency thoracotomy--the indications, contraindications and evidence

B S Morgan  1 , J P Garner
Affiliations
Review

Emergency thoracotomy--the indications, contraindications and evidence

B S Morgan et al. J R Army Med Corps. 2009 Jun.

Abstract

Emergency thoracotomy is a dramatic and controversial intervention which may be life saving after major torso trauma. Success rates are variable and differ widely according to mechanism of injury. This article outlines the current indications and contraindications to emergency thoracotomy and examines the evidence to support it accumulated over 40 years.

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