Penetrating heart wounds. An analysis of 29 cases]

Twenty-nine cases, penetrating wounds to the heart, who were operated in the thoracic and cardiovascular surgery department of our University during January 1995-August 2000 were reevaluated. Twenty nine patients were men and the mean age was 22.6 (min 12, max 45). The cause of injury was stab wounds in 28 cases and gunshot wounds in 1 case. Besides the clinical findings; teleradiography, echocardiography were valuable for the diagnosis. Surgery was applied in emergent conditions for all cases. Interventions were performed 28 anterolateral thoracotomy, 1 bilaterally anterolateral thoracotomy and additionally 4 laparatomy were performed. The most frequent side of injury was right ventricule. Our mortality ratio was 17.2%, morbidity ratio 17.2%. We think that fast transportation, urgent diagnostic study and immediate surgical intervention important parameters which decrease of the mortality.