概述
Thoracic trauma is a notable cause of morbidity and
mortality in American trauma centers, where 25% of traumatic
deaths are related to injuries sustained within the
thoracic cage.1 Chest injuries occur in 60% of polytrauma
cases; therefore, a rough estimate of the occurrence of hemothorax
related to trauma in the United States approaches
300,000 cases per year.2 The management of hemothorax and
pneumothorax has been a complex problem since it was first
described over 200 years ago. Although the majority of chest
trauma can be managed nonoperatively, there are several
questions surrounding the management of hemothorax and
occult pneumothorax that are not as easily answered.
