ABSTRACT
Injuries to the chest can be immediately life-threatening. Rapid diagnosis and management of such injuries should therefore be included in the assessment of vital functions and are among the measures that have the highest priority in the management of severely injured patients. A correct decision made and the correct action taken in the right moment can mean the difference between life and death or between disability and health, in a young patient with many active years ahead. Injuries to the major vessels are often fatal, but a few patients may arrive at the hospital alive. Series of selected patients managed conservatively after missile wounds have been reported, but such a strategy should be used only if the resources are extremely limited. Patients with injuries to the abdominal aorta can rarely live long enough to reach the operating theatre, but delayed dissections can occur.
