Thoracic Trauma: an Analysis of 187 Patients

Penetrating Chest Trauma in Nigeria

“…2,3 In 710 chest trauma cases reported by Cakan and colleagues, 3 72% were blunt injuries, while 28% were PTT. In 187 patients seen by Segers and colleagues, 4 blunt trauma constituted 80.1% of the injuries, while PTT constituted 19.9%. The literature shows that blunt trauma is not commonly associated with war or civil strife, however penetrating trauma is.…”

“…2,3 Males are more often the victims than females. 4 Penetrating chest trauma is most often caused by gunshots and non gunshot-related incidents such as stabs, traffic accidents, and impalements.…”

“…6 It is generally agreed that most PTT patients can be treated by simple measures such as chest tube insertion only. 2,3,4,6,7…”

“…The indications for surgical intervention include significant pneumothorax, hemothorax, hemopneumothorax, diaphragmatic injuries, pulmonary laceration, and great vessel injuries among others. 4,8 The main indications for thoracotomy are major pulmonary laceration, aortic rupture, and diaphragmatic injuries. 3,4…”

“… Penetrating chest trauma occurs worldwide, and various accounts of it have been reported in the literature. 1 –5 Blunt trauma is not usually associated with military or civilian violence, while penetrating chest trauma often is. Penetrating chest trauma is frequently caused by gunshots and non gunshot-related incidents such as stabs, traffic accidents, and impalements.…”