Chest trauma

Abstract Paediatric thoracic trauma, though usually requiring minimal intervention, is often a marker of severe life-threatening injury. The ability to provide skilled timely intervention of thoracic injuries (though uncommonly needed) is a required outcome of surgical training in Australasia and the UK. Assessment principles follow Advanced Trauma Life Support (ATLS)/Early Management of Severe Trauma (EMST) guidelines, and additional awareness of the role of extended focussed assessment with sonography in trauma (FAST) examination is becoming more commonplace and satisfies the goal of reducing radiation exposure (as low as reasonably achieved, or ALARA). Investigations and interventions associated with management of thoracic trauma are outlined, together with a brief discussion of specific injuries to thoracic structures. The potential for a non-accidental aetiology should always be considered.