Chest trauma

This article summarises major life-threatening injuries in thoracic trauma. Timing, clinical features, necessary investigations and interventions are described within the clinical approach of primary and secondary surveys. Emphasis is on immediate resuscitation with some discussion on further management. Injuries included are tension pneumothorax, open pneumothorax, massive haemothorax, pericardial tamponade, aortic injuries, cardiac injuries, lung contusion, flail chest, diaphragmatic injury, airway injury and oesophageal rupture.