Thoracic injuries.

Thoracic injury is the second leading cause of death in pediatric trauma, second only to head injury in lethal potential. With the exception of lung contusion, serious injuries to vital thoracic structures are associated with mortality rates in excess of 50%. With blunt chest trauma, approximately 15% of the deaths result directly from intrathoracic injury, but with penetrating chest trauma, nearly 100% of the deaths result from intrathoracic injury. Facility with management of thoracic injuries is therefore vital to optimal outcome in childhood trauma.