Study of the pattern and management of blunt chest injuries in rural setup

Abstract

Background: Trauma is recognized as a serious public health problem. In fact, it is the leading cause of death and disability in the first four decades of life and is the third most common cause of death overall. Trauma may lead to short or long-term disability. Objective was to study the pattern of chest injuries with resultant underlying damage, in rural set up.Methods: The present study was carried out among 500 cases of age group 15 to 75 years, all religions and both sexes. All patients received in the Emergency Room (ER/Casualty) were immediately attended and history, primary survey and resuscitation were done simultaneously. X ray chest-erect position was taken and subsequent management either operative or non-operative was done according to clinic-radiological findings. After discharge, patients were followed on OPD basis till the time they return to the normal activity.Results: Majority of patients (31%) were from 55 to 65 years of age group and were male (64.2%). Vehicular accident was the commonest (56.8 %) cause of injury. Vehicular accidents were the most common cause of chest injuries. In vehicular accidents two-wheeler riders were the common victims (55.28%). Assault was 2nd most common mode of injury. Among those patients who sustained chest trauma had average VAS 6 (49.2%) followed by 4 (45%). Majority of patient were treated conservatively (93.6%).Conclusions: The most active age group and males were affected with commonly vehicular accidents. They mainly suffered chest injuries.

Comparative analysis of two different Turkish hospitals reports on polytrauma patients with thoracic trauma

“…In many reports, rib fractures were the mainly suffered chest injury occupying approximately 7% to 40% of the cases. [11,[16][17][18] In our study, rib fracture was also the most common thoracic injury in accordance with the literature, followed by hemotorax, pneumothorax, lung contusion, and subcutaneous emphysema. [11] Surgical stabilisation of the flail chest was performed in cases of failing to wean from the ventilator or when thoracotomy was needed for other reasons (MH 7% vs. SH 10%).…”

Clinical study of patients with trauma to the chest in a tertiary care centre

“…Sharma et al in his study had patients with VAS score of 6 where 68.2% required ICNB as compared to our study where 6.03% required nerve block. 9 Pneumonia and atelectasis were the common complications associated with chest trauma in our study as well in the study of Shah et al (pneumonia in 2% and atelectasis in 3% cases). 6 Other complications were ARDS which was present in two of the cases and bronchopleural fistula in one case.…”

“…Kumar et al, Shah et al, and Sharma et al mentioned in their study that the commonest skeletal injury of thoracic region was fracture of ribs. 5,6,9 Other common skeletal injury was clavicle fracture in 13.82% of cases, similar to the study of Kulshrestha et al (14.1%). 2 Lung contusion was the most common visceral injury encountered in 8.13% of cases whereas in study of Sharma et al it was 4%.…”

“…2 Lung contusion was the most common visceral injury encountered in 8.13% of cases whereas in study of Sharma et al it was 4%. 9 Haemothorax was present in 7.32%, pneumothorax in 3.25%, while in study of Sharma et al it was 1.6% and 1.8% respectively. 9 In our study hemopneumothorax was present in 5.70% and in study of Shah et al similar incidence of hemopneumothorax was present i.e.…”

“…9 Haemothorax was present in 7.32%, pneumothorax in 3.25%, while in study of Sharma et al it was 1.6% and 1.8% respectively. 9 In our study hemopneumothorax was present in 5.70% and in study of Shah et al similar incidence of hemopneumothorax was present i.e. 5%.…”