Thoraco-abdominal combined injuries : Clinical analysis of 32 cases

Objective: To explore the diagnosis and treatment of thoraco-abdominal combined injuries(TCI).Methods : A retrospective study was carried out in 32 cases of TCI treated surgically,among which were 15 cases(46.87%)of open injury mainly caused by sharp instruments and 17(53.13 %) of closed injury commonly seen in traffic injury.The injuries due to different causes and their clinical signs as well as operative measures were analyzed.Results: Of 32 cases,30 surivived by surgical treatment,and two died due to neglect of the treatment of adult respiratory distress syndrome(ARDS) as well as bleeding of the ruptured hepatic vein.Conclusion: TCI is a special type of multiple trauma with its severity and complicated traumatic condition and a higher mortality.The diagnosis should be paid to the avoidance of the missed diagnosis of diaphragmatic muscle injuries.The treatment principle is thoracic injury first and laparotomy second.