Open Chest Wound with Sternal Fracture in the Emergency Department, a Case Report

Key Points

• Open chest wounds require immediate attention to assess underlying injuries, which are often severe.
• The report highlights a case of a patient with an open sternal fracture and chest wall malignancy, underscoring the complexity of such injuries.
• Assessment included thorough evaluation of chest wall malignancy—specifically squamous cell carcinoma—and chronic infections.
• This case emphasizes the importance of a multidisciplinary approach in managing open sternal fractures with additional medical complications.