Best approach for thoracic trauma is

Here best option is anterolateral thoracotomy. Different approaches to the contents of the chest cavity are.. Left anterolateral thoracotomy : left lung and lung hilum, Thoracic aoa, left side of hea, origin of left subclan aery and lower oesophagus. Right anterolateral thoracotomy : Right lung and lung hilum, Azygos vein, Superior vena cava, Infracardiac inferior vena cava, Upper oesophagus, Thoracic trachea. Median sternotomy : Anterior aspect of the hea, Anterior Mediastinum, Ascending aoa and arch of aoa, pulmonary aeries and Carina of trachea. Indications for thoracotomy: 1.1000ml drained at inseion of chest drain. 2.Continued brisk bleeding >100ml per 15 min. 3.Continued bleeding >200ml per hr. for 3 or 4 more hrs . 4.Rupture of bronchus, aoa, oesophagus, diaphragm. 5.Cardiac tamponade. Reference : Bailey & love, 27th Edition, page no = 371.