Within the period of 16 years (1973-1988) 692 patients with chest injuries were treated at the Military Medical Academy or 7% of all hospitalized patients with trauma. The largest source of trauma was traffic accidents (431 or 62.3%). Thoracotomy was performed in only 32 (4.6%) patients and the total mortality was 6.9% (48 traumatized). The importance of early recognition of vitally threatening syndromes and immediate initiation of therapeutical measures for correction of the disturbed intrathoracal relationship and hypovolemia have been pointed out.