Stake through the chest.

We present a fascinating case of major penetrating trauma to the chest which resulted in a successful outcome. Often such trauma is associated with a poor outcome due to injury to the heart, lungs or major blood vessels with subsequent massive blood loss, pnuemothorax or haemo-pneumothorax. Late complications include infection rarely mediastinitis, empyema and occasionally chylothorax from damage to the thoracic duct.