Prognostic factors in flail-chest patients.

Objective: The records of 250 patients presenting with flail-chest injury in a level I trauma centre were reviewed and analysed in order to determine prognostic factors.

Methods: There were 250 consecutive trauma patients with flail chest, 183 men (73.2%) and 67 women (26.

Omental transposition: the final solution for major sternal wound infection.

Sternal osteomyelitis after median sternotomy for cardiac surgery is associated with considerable morbidity and mortality. The ideal reconstruction after sternal debridement is still debated. From 2000 to 2004, we treated 15 patients for sternal osteomyelitis (type IIIB, IVA, IVB) after median sternotomy for cardiac surgery.

Muscle-sparing versus posterolateral thoracotomy: a prospective study.

Objective: Although the thoracotomy incision is guided in part by the exposure required, both cosmesis and the potential for improved recovery are important factors to be taken into account. We conducted a prospective randomized study in order to compare muscle sparing thoracotomy (MST) and standard posterolateral thoracotomy (PLT) for postoperative pain and physical function during and after hospitalization.

Material And Method: One hundred patients operated from June through December 2004 were recruited in this study.

Percutaneous radiofrequency thermal ablation of primary and metastatic lung tumors.

Objective: Primary lung cancer is the leading cause of death from cancer. For patients with inoperable lung cancer, percutaneous radiofrequency thermal ablation (RFA) under CT-guidance represents a minimally invasive treatment. It can also be applied in combination with radiation therapy and chemotherapy.