[Penetrating thoracic injuries].

In a period of peace in Germany and other westeuropean countries, penetrating trauma of the thorax (PTT) is much more rarer than blunt trauma. An analysis of 103 patients with PTT, treated in the Surgical Department of the University of Cologne from 1980 to 1990, showed, that these are usually isolated injuries in young patients. These occur usually following violence as stab wounds and less commonly gunshot wounds. Two thirds of the patients could be treated adequately with intensive care therapy and the use of thoracic drains. One third of the patients underwent thoracotomy, which was carried out in two thirds within one hour after hospital admission and in the remaining one third within the first 24 hours. The mortality for all PTT was 13%, being 10% for isolated thoracic injuries and 19% for patients with multiple trauma.