[Peace-time thoraco-abdominal injuries]

Abstract

The article discusses the diagnosis of thoracoabdominal wound (TAW) in 190 patients and the results of their operative treatment, information given in a questionnaire by 70 patients and out-patient examination of 19 of them in the late-term period. The clinical abdominal symptomatology is encountered 7 times more frequently in TAW than in and in combination with the X-ray signs allowing the diagnosis to be made in 21.58% of cases with TAW. Contrast study of the wound canal, thoracoscopy, and diagnostic pneumoperitoneum make it possible to establish or reject the diagnosis of TAW in all patients examined. Thoracotomy in the 7th intercostal space or at a lower level with transdiaphragmatic laparotomy allows for correction of the injuries in the chest and abdomen in 92.30% of patients. The mortality rate was 2.63%.