Two lucky survivors of thoracic impalement in childhood: case report and literature review

BACKGROUND: Penetrating thoracic injuries are uncommon in childhood. Massive penetrating injury due to impalement is even more rare and has scarcely been reported. It has a dramatic clinical presentation and is often fatal, depending on the organs injured. CASE PRESENTATION: Two boys presented with an unusual mechanism of injury. They fell from a height to be impaled by a large stick. Appropriate emergency medical service was not available and surgery was delayed by more than 24 h after the accident. Both children were labelled “lucky” as they survived the injury without any significant sequelae. CONCLUSION: We discuss two new cases of pediatric thoracic impalement and perform the first literature review on the subject. Emphasis should be given to the initial care which comprises avoiding premature removal, rapid transport, resuscitation, anti-tetanus and antibiotics. All reported cases had a favorable outcome, even those managed within the constraints of low-income countries.