Large thoracic defect due to shotgun violation - surgical emergency management.

Shotgun injuries from a short distance (<3 m) may cause massive bleeding and tissue destruction. Only immediate aggressive (surgical) therapy prevents lethal outcome. We report about a 27-year-old patient, who was wounded on the left chest wall by a straight-cut shotgun from a short distance. In cases of this special traumatic pattern damage control measures are necessary. The measures should take place in preclinical emergency management (by the on-site emergency physician). We report about the emergency management from admission to our hospital and the following surgical treatment until discharge from the hospital.