Management of Chest Trauma in a Rural Medical College Hospital

Abstract

Background: Chest trauma implies trauma to anyone or combination of different thoracic structures. Approximately in one quarter of civilians, trauma deaths are caused by trauma to thorax. Many of these deaths can be avoided by precise clinical diagnosis and immediate management. Most wounds under these situations could be managed conservatively with or without tube thoracostomy. This study aims to assess and analyze the mode of presentation, pattern and management of chest injuries in rural areas.

Methods: One hundred consecutive patients within the period of 14 months with thoracic trauma presenting in emergency department were evaluated.

Results: Most of the patients (87%) were treated conservatively with minor wound repair and medical treatment and 13% patients had been treated with intercostal chest drain. Among these 13% patients, three were referred to higher centers due to massive initial hemothorax and longstanding pneumothorax.

Conclusions: Majority of the chest injury patients can be treated satisfactorily in general surgery unit by conservative management or chest drain.




J Curr Surg. 2019;9(2-3):22-25
doi: https://doi.org/10.14740/jcs379