ABSTRACT
Objective: Thoracic trauma is a common cause of significant morbidity and mortality. The present study presents a series of thoracic trauma and evaluation of epidemiologic features, distribution of pathologies, diagnosis, additional systemic injuries, management and outcome
Materials and Methods: Between May 2016 and April 2017, all patients with thorax trauma admitted to the emergency service of King Abdulaziz hospital were retrospectively reviewed with respect to age, gender, etiological factors, distribution of pathologies, additional systemic injuries, diagnosis, treatment modalities, referral and outcome
Results: A total of 228 patients with thorax trauma were encompassed in the study. Of all the patients, [140] , 61.4% were male and 88 [38.6%] were female. The majority of the patients presented with blunt thoracic trauma [218 of 228 [95.6%]], whereas 10 [4.4%] presented with penetrating injuries. Etiological factors included falls in 158 [69.3%] patients, motor vehicle accidents in 52 [22.8%], animal related accidents in 8 [3.5%] and penetrating injuries in 10 [4.4%]. Among penetrating injuries, 6 [2.6%] were stabbing injuries and 4 [1.8%] were firearm injuries. The patients aged between 16 and 85 [mean 52.2 +/- 16.9] years. The vast majority [69.3%] of the patients aged between 31 and 70 years. Blunt thoracic traumas were observed most frequently in patients aged 51-70 years [36.8%], while penetrating traumas were observed most frequently in those aged 31-50 [32,5%] years
Conclusion: Even though majority of the patients with thorax trauma received treatment as outpatients; thoracic traumas can be a life threatening condition, and should be recognized and treated immediately. Mortality differs based on etiological factors, additional systemic pathologies, capabilities of the hospital especially diagnostic and treatment facilities in emergency services. We believe that a multidisciplinary method to the patients with severe thorax trauma, and the opportunities of emergency bedside thoracotomy in emergency services will significantly decrease the morbidity and mortality