ISSN: 0022-1198
CODEN: JFSCA
Published Online: 1 January 1983
Page Count: 8

Rib Spreader Laceration: A Confusing Artifact of Emergency Thoracotomy
Dixon, DS
Deputy medical examiner, Office of the Chief Medical Examiner, DC

Champion, HR
Director, Surgical Critical Care Services, Washington Hospital Center, DC

(Received 9 April 1982; accepted 4 May 1982)

Abstract

During emergency thoracotomy, an artifactual injury complex consisting of laceration, abrasion, and, rarely, contusion may be formed by application of a surgical instrument called a rib spreader. Six cases demonstrating this confusing injury are presented, and its formation is discussed.

Keywords:
pathology and biology, rib spreader, thoracotomy, injuries, artifacts

Paper ID: JFS12260J
DOI: 10.1520/JFS12260J
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