[Appropriate management of penetrating thoracic stab injuries].

Knife-stab chest injuries require immediate adequate treatment according to an established pattern. Depending on the clinical findings, the requisite management is performed: Intubation, central vain catheter, tube drainage according to Bülau, thoracotomy. Stabbing weapons should be removed not before admission to a thoracic surgical clinic ready for immediate operation. One of our cases shows that schematic procedure enables adequate "minimal therapy" in spite of dramatic circumstances.