ABSTRACT
Introduction • In d ica tio n s fo r th e use o f th e E m ergency D e p a r tm e n t th o ra c o to m y th a t
appear in th e lite ra tu re range from vague to q u ite specific. It has been used in a varie ty o f se ttings in c lu d in g p e n e tra tin g an d b lu n t th o rac ic a n d /o r thoracoabdom inal injuries, cardiac and exsanguinating abdom inal o r extrem ity vascular injuries.
