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Eur J Cardiothorac Surg 2005;28:653-654
© 2005 Elsevier Science NL

Case report

Unusual case of self-inflicted thoracic knife wounds with five knives embedded in the left thoracic cavity

Department of Thoracic Surgery, Clinic of Cardiovascular and Thoracic Surgery, Tartu University Clinics, Puusepa 8, 51014 Tartu, Estonia

Received 26 April 2005; accepted 30 May 2005.

^* Tel.: +372 53 318 055; fax: +372 7 318 299. (Email: tanel.laisaar{at}kliinikum.ee).

Suicide by chest stabbing is a rare cause of penetrating chest trauma. We hereby report a unique case of suicide attempt with multiple thoracic stab wounds and five embedded knives. Although the long kitchen knives were entirely embedded into the left hemithorax no fatal injury occurred. Emergency thoracotomy was performed to remove the knives and repair the lung laceration. Uneventful recovery followed.

Key Words: Chest trauma • Penetrating injury