Sternum fractures which is a condition seen by 3-8% after blunt thoracic trauma is a situation faced frequently, especially depending on seatbelt usage in traffic accidents. Stabilization is recommended to prevent complications that have high mortality rate like flail chest and cardiovascular injury in sternum fractures. Various materials have been used as a sternal fixation method until now. I...

case, however, which demonstrates that this technique can be used safely despite multiple traumatic thoracic injuries, including complex sternal fractures and a flail segment. Several of the key studies of prone ventilation specifically excluded patients with severe chest wall injuries 7 or intracranial hypertension. 8 We believe this case illustrates that this treatment may, with care, be cons...

Blunt thoracic trauma can result in significant morbidity in injured patients. Both chest wall and the intrathoracic visceral injuries can lead to life-threatening complications if not anticipated and treated. Pain control, aggressive pulmonary toilet, and mechanical ventilation when necessary are the mainstays of supportive treatment. The elderly with blunt chest trauma are especially at risk ...

A 40-year-old African male was admitted to hospital after being crushed between a reversing lorry and a wall. On examination he was conscious, slightly dyspnoeic but not obviously cyanosed. The pulse rate was 80/min and the arterial pressure was 120/80 mm Hg. The main injury was sited in the left nipple region where a large penetrating wound, 8-10 cm in diameter, communicated with the left pleu...