[Intrathoracic injuries].

Severe intrathoracic injuries are uncommon but immediately life-threatening. These injuries are mostly associated with polytrauma. After stabilization of polytraumatized patients imaging is a prerequisite for treatment and operation planning. The assessment warrants an interdisciplinary approach primarily between the specialties of anesthesia, trauma surgery and thoracic surgery and further specialties should be involved depending on the injury pattern. This article gives an overview about the current management of the most important intrathoracic injuries.