Emergency Thoracotomy: A Four-Year Review

The case records of 200 patients who had emergency thoracotomy for penetrating trauma were reviewed. The mortality was 47% (93/200) for the entire series, 27% (21/79) for stab wounds and 60% (72/121) for gunshot wounds. Of 55 patients who underwent thoracotomy in the emergency department, 8 (15%) survived. Twelve patients “dead” at the scene could not be resuscitated. Nineteen patients sustained cardiac arrest in the ambulance, 3 (16%) of whom survived. Of 19 who had cardiac arrest in the emergency department, 5 (26%) survived. Of 38 patients who had cardiac arrest in the ambulance or emergency department, 14 with stab wounds had a 43% survival and 24 with gunshot wounds had a survival of only 8%. Patients who underwent thoracotomy in the operating room (OR) had a higher survival, 68% (99/145). For those with thoracic, extremity, or neck injuries, survival was 81% (93/115). For those who had an OR thoracotomy for aortic cross-clamping because of abdominal injuries, survival was only 17% (5/30). Early thoracotomy has a place in the management of patients who have cardiac arrest in the ambulance or emergency department because of penetrating chest, neck, or extremity injuries, especially if caused by stab wounds. Cross-clamping of the thoracic aorta for massive abdominal bleeding should be applied selectively.