%0 Journal Article
%T Thoracic compartment syndrome after penetrating heart and lung injury
%J GMS Interdisciplinary plastic and reconstructive surgery DGPW
%D 2019
%A Rupprecht, Holger
%A Dormann, Harald
%A Gaab, Katharina
%V 8
%N 
%P Doc07-Doc07
%X Thoracic injuries are the most lethal penetrating injuries. After attempting suicide, two patients with a penetrating thoracic wound were admitted to our emergency department. During CT scan they became hemodynamically unstable, which is why we had to perform an emergency thoracotomy. In both cases, a perforation in the left ventricle as well as multiple lesions of the lung parenchyma and vessel injuries were found. After the treatment of the different injuries, a massive edema of the heart and lung prevented a primary closure of the thorax. Due to massive diffuse bleeding, a "packing" of the pleural cavity became necessary. To prevent a thoracic compartment syndrome, the thoracic wall was left open and the skin was closed with a plastic sheet. Due to the "open chest" procedure combined with "packing" of the thoracic cavity, the majority of patients with an edema of the heart and lung after a penetrating chest injury can be saved. Pitfalls of preclinical and clinical treatment, aspects of diagnostics and surgery are discussed.<p /><p>Language: en</p>
%G en
%I German Medical Science
%@ 2193-8091
%U http://dx.doi.org/10.3205/iprs000133