Blunt thoracic trauma

The majority of blunt thoracic injuries occur in the setting of multiple trauma and are often missed or underestimated. Most can be managed non-operatively, heal well and are not the major cause of long-term physical disability. The fact that surgical intervention is not usually necessary does not mean it is never required. We aim to describe the non-operative early interventions, with appropriate use of chest drains, oxygenation, pain relief and management of pulmonary secretions, that are the basis of successful treatment. We also describe the situations where the recovering patient will benefit from the opinion of a thoracic surgeon.