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Indian Journal of Emergency Medicine 12(2):p 116-118, April-June 2026. | DOI: https://doi.org/10.21088/ijem.2395.311X.12226.12
Case Report
The Rod that Missed the Heart: A Case of Bilateral Chest Wall Penetration in a Young Trauma Survivor
Unnati Singh, Rijul Bhatia, Arun Kaushik, Kishalay Datta
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Attribution-Non-commercial 4.0 International (CC BY-NC 4.0)This license enables reusers to distribute, remix, adapt, and build upon the material in any medium or format for noncommercial purposes only, and only so long as attribution is given to the creator.
Indian Journal of Emergency Medicine 12(2):p 116-118, April-June 2026. | DOI: https://doi.org/10.21088/ijem.2395.311X.12226.12
How Cite This Article:
Unnati Singh, Rijul Bhatia, Arun Kaushik, et al. The Rod that Missed the Heart: A Case of Bilateral Chest Wall Penetration in a Young Trauma Survivor. Ind J Emerg Med. 2026; 12(2): 116-118.Timeline
Received : January 23, 2026
Accepted : February 25, 2026
Published : June 30, 2026
Abstract
Penetrating thoracic injuries from impalement are rare but potentially catastrophic due to the concentration of vital structures within the chest cavity. We report the case of a 24 year old male who sustained a trans thoracic impalement from a metallic rod following a road traffic accident. The entry wound was located 6 cm below the right nipple on the anterolateral chest wall, with an exit point just lateral to the left nipple. Despite the dramatic mechanism of injury, the patient arrived hemodynamically stable with a GCS of 15. Prompt trauma team activation, targeted imaging and emergency thoracotomy enabled successful removal of the rod, with no injury to cardiac or major vascular structures. Post-operative intensive care involved mechanical ventilation, targeted analgesia and gradual mobilization. The patient was discharged in stable condition. This case underscores the critical role of rapid, coordinated trauma care and highlights the possibility of positive outcomes even in seemingly critical injuries.
References
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Data Sharing Statement
There are no additional data available. All raw data and code are available upon request.
Funding
This research received no funding.
Author Contributions
All authors contributed significantly to the work and approve its publication.
Ethics Declaration
This article does not involve any human or animal subjects, and therefore does not require ethics approval.
Acknowledgements
We would like to express our gratitude to the patients, their families, and all those who have contributed to this study.
Conflicts of Interest
No conflicts of interest in this work.
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Cite this article
Unnati Singh, Rijul Bhatia, Arun Kaushik, et al. The Rod that Missed the Heart: A Case of Bilateral Chest Wall Penetration in a Young Trauma Survivor. Ind J Emerg Med. 2026; 12(2): 116-118.
Licence:
Attribution-Non-commercial 4.0 International (CC BY-NC 4.0)This license enables reusers to distribute, remix, adapt, and build upon the material in any medium or format for noncommercial purposes only, and only so long as attribution is given to the creator.
| Received | Accepted | Published |
|---|---|---|
| January 23, 2026 | February 25, 2026 | June 30, 2026 |
DOI: https://doi.org/10.21088/ijem.2395.311X.12226.12
Keywords
Trans thoracic impalementPenetrating Chest TraumaEmergency ThoracotomyMultidisciplinary Trauma CareSearch for Similar Articles
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Timeline
| Received | January 23, 2026 |
| Accepted | February 25, 2026 |
| Published | June 30, 2026 |
licence
Attribution-Non-commercial 4.0 International (CC BY-NC 4.0)
This license enables reusers to distribute, remix, adapt, and build upon the material in any medium or format for noncommercial purposes only, and only so long as attribution is given to the creator.
