Major trauma: assessment and initial management

Treating chest injuries

A chest injury can cause a condition called pneumothorax, which happens when air becomes trapped in the chest, causing the lung to collapse. Pneumothorax can be caused by a wound to the chest or lung, for example, the lung being punctured by a rib.

The ambulance team should check for symptoms of a pneumothorax, such as chest pain or shortness of breath. They may also use an ultrasound scan to look inside the chest. If there is a wound to the chest it should be covered with a dressing.

If breathing problems are severe or there are signs that someone's blood is not circulating properly (such as low blood pressure or an abnormal heart rate), the air trapped in their chest should be released so that the lung can inflate again. This is done by putting a needle or a small tube into the chest. It may be done by a member of the ambulance team or the trauma team in the hospital.

At the hospital, people may have an X‑ray, ultrasound scan or CT scan of their chest to check for injuries. Children under 16 should usually have an X‑ray or an ultrasound scan because these give out less radiation than CT scans and are considered safer for children.