[Problems in the diagnosis and surgical care of thoracoabdominal wounds].

The article presents an 11 years experience in work of a specialized department of thoracoabdominal trauma with an analysis of treatment of 292 wounded. The main causes of the thoracoabdominal wounds (TAW) were knife stabs (96.2% of the patients). The diagnosis of injuries to vital organs of the chest and abdomen is known to be very difficult. The X-ray analysis is one of major diagnostic methods for TAW. Emergency thoracoscopy is of great significance in diagnosis of intrathoracic injuries and laparocentesis and laparoscopy are of great value for intraperitoneal wounds. The sequence of measures and surgery volume must be determined by the wound type and the severity of injuries of the internal organs which gives better results of treatment of such patients. Postoperative complications were noted in 9.1% of the wounded. Lethality was 5.1%.