Chest injuries

Injuries to the chest may create urgent diagnostic and therapeutic challenges. An organised and comprehensive approach, such as that defined by the Advanced Trauma Life Support Course, identifies and prioritises the management of the anatomic and physiology disruptions that result in life-threatening compromise of airway, as exchange and haemodynamics. Trauma personnel familiar with basic principles of assessment and treatment of these injuries have the potential to reduce the devastating social and economic consequences of chest trauma. (C) 2003 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.