The most common complication after thoracic injury is:
The most common complication after thoracic injury is development of an empyema. Management is based on CT diagnostic criteria. Percutaneous drainage is indicated for single loculations without appreciable rind. Early decoication video-assisted thoracic surgery is pursued in patients with multiple loculations or a pleural rind of >1 cm. Antibiotic treatment is based on definitive culture results. Ref: Cothren C., Biffl W.L., Moore E.E. (2010). Chapter 7. Trauma. In F.C. Brunicardi, D.K. Andersen, T.R. Billiar, D.L. Dunn, J.G. Hunter, J.B. Matthews, R.E. Pollock (Eds), Schwaz's Principles of Surgery, 9e.
Chylothorax
Pulmonary contusion
Empyema
Oesophageal rupture