Penetrating cardiac and pulmonary injury by a nail-gun: report of a case
Sakata, J.; Sasaki, A.
Kyobu Geka. Japanese Journal of Thoracic Surgery 56(2): 169-171
2003
ISSN/ISBN: 0021-5252 PMID: 12635332 Document Number: 553720
A 64-year-old man underwent emergency operation for self-inflicted penetrating cardiac and pulmonary injury by a nail-gun. Chest films on admission showed 5 nails penetrating the thorax and one of these nails had reached into pericardium. Emergency surgery was performed by median sternotomy and the 5 nails in the chest wall were totally removed and the wound of right ventricle and lung were closed with direct mattress sutures without cardio-pulmonary bypass. Post operative course was uneventful and he was transferred to the psychiatric ward for the treatment of depression at post operative 7 days.