Thoracic Trauma: Presentation and Management Outcome

Objective: To determine the presentation and management outcome of thoracic trauma in a tertiary care setting. Study Design: Case series study. Place and Duration of Study: The study was carried out in the Department of Surgery, Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS), Islamabad from January to December 2005. Patients and Methods: A total of 143 patients, who presented with chest trauma, were included in the study. All the patients were assessed by the history, physical examination and ancillary investigations. Appropriate managements were instituted as required. Data was described in percentages. Results: Out of 143 patients, 119 (83%) were males and 24 (17%) were females. Most of the patients belonged to the age group of 21-50 years. Ninety seven (66%) patients were admitted for indoor management. Blunt injury was found in 125 (87.4%) patients, while penetrating injuries in only 18 (12.6%) patients. Road Traffic Accidents (RTAs) were the commonest cause of trauma (n=103, 72%). Rib fracture was the commonest chest injury (74% patients). Head injury was the most frequently associated injury (18% of the patients). Tube thoracostomy was the commonest intervention undertaken in 65 (45%.) patients. Seventeen (11.88%) patients were managed with mechanical ventilation. There were 17 deaths with a mortality rate of 11.88%. Conclusion: Thoracic trauma is an important cause of hospitalization, morbidity and mortality in the younger population. RTAs constitute the leading cause of thoracic trauma in our setup. Tube thoracostomy is the most frequent and at times the only invasive procedure required as a definitive measure in thoracic trauma patients. A policy of selective hospitalization helps to avoid unnecessary hospital admissions.