Chest Wounds - Symptoms, Causes, Treatment and Prevention of Chest Wounds

The chest wall protects the lungs, heart and other essential organs such as the liver. A puncture wound to the chest can therefore be extremely serious.

Complications of Chest Wound

Common complications of penetrating chest wounds include:

. Collapsed lung (pneumothorax), caused by air entering the space between the chest wall and the lungs. This applies pressure to the lungs, causing them to collapse. The lung can also be damaged directly, causing it to fill with blood.

. Tension pneumothorax which occurs when the pressure builds up sufficiently to affect the uninjured lung and possibly even the heart.

. Damage to vital organs such as the liver - this will result in severe shock as these organs have a large blood supply.

Treatment of Chest Wounds

1. Seal the wound using, in the first instance, your hand or the casualty's hand.

2. Help the casualty into a position that makes it easier for him to breathe. This will usually be sitting up and inclined to the injured side. This allows the uninjured lung maximum room to move and allows blood to pool on the injured side.

3. Cover the wound with a dressing and cover the dressing with airtight material, such as plastic or foil. Seal this on three sides.

4. Call an ambulance and treat for shock.

If the casualty is unconscious, monitor and maintain the airway and be prepared to resuscitate if necessary (sealing the wound before resuscitating). Place the casualty injured side down.

Signs and symptoms of chest wounds

. Difficulty with breathing

. Shock

. Bright red, frothy blood (blood with air in it) being coughed up or escaping from the wound

. Pale skin with blue lips

. Sound of air being sucked into the chest.

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