Clinical profile of chest injury a prospective observational study

Abstract

Background:Chest trauma is one of the most serious injuries leading to significant disability and mortality. Chest injury directly accounts to 20%-25% of all traumas related deaths in developed countries.

Methods: This was a prospective observational study involving chest injury patients admitted in civil hospital, Solapur over the period of September 2013 to June 2015.

Results:A total of 150 chest injury patients were studied out of 864 patients of chest injury during the said period. Males outnumbered females by a ratio of 5:1. Their ages ranged from 10 to 80 years (mean = 37.27 years). Majority of the patients (94.67%) sustained blunt injuries. RTA was the common mechanism of blunt injury affecting 59.86% of patients. Rib fracture was the commonest type of chest injury followed by pneumothorax, 88% and 62% respectively. Head injury was the commonest associated injury seen in 56% of patients. Majority of patients 66.67% were treated successfully with tube thoracostomy. The mean hospital stay was 8.97days with SD of 4.89 days. Mortality rate was 11.97%.

Conclusions:Chest injury resulting from RTA remains a major mechanism of chest injury. A preventive measure, educating people about traffic rules and regulations and strictly implementing them is necessary to reduce incidence of chest injuries.