Clinical course, diagnosis and treatment of abdominal and thoracic injuries
Abakumov, M.M.
Vestnik Khirurgii Imeni I. I. Grekova 140(4): 79-82
1988
ISSN/ISBN: 0042-4625 PMID: 3420759 Document Number: 318322
An analysis of the clinical course and specific methods of diagnostics has been made on the basis of 19 patients with knife wounds of the epigastric area involving the diaphragm. The author stresses poor picture of clinical symptoms due to frequent extra-pleural disposition of the wound canal. At the same time the abdominothoracic wounds are very dangerous. For example, in 8 of 19 patients there were injuries of the pericardium, among them 6 patients having wounds of the heart. Wide diaphragmotomy is thought to be indicated to patients with wounds of the central part of the diaphragm for quick and complete revision and hemostasis. It was used in 7 patients.