A young hand-glider crashed and the main shaft of the glider (diameter, 10 cm) perforated his left hemithorax. After rescue workers had cut the extremities of the shaft, the patient was brought to the hospital in good haemodynamic condition (Fig. 1 ). He was immediately taken to the operation room, without a chest X-ray.
Pre-operative photographs of the patient and perforating body. The hollow tube permitted ‘see through’ from front to back. After anaesthesia, the tube was removed and a left thoracotomy was performed and only minor superficial lung injuries were found, which were sutured directly without need for resection. The pericardium had not been involved. The chest entry and exit wounds were closed in layers. The patient had an uneventful recovery.
Pre-operative photographs of the patient and perforating body. The hollow tube permitted ‘see through’ from front to back. After anaesthesia, the tube was removed and a left thoracotomy was performed and only minor superficial lung injuries were found, which were sutured directly without need for resection. The pericardium had not been involved. The chest entry and exit wounds were closed in layers. The patient had an uneventful recovery.
