ABSTRACT
Introduction: Blunt trauma to the chest is a very commonoccurrence in setting of traumatic incidents occurring withhighest frequency in young adults between 15-35 years ofage. Traumatic chest injuries lead to significant burden ofmortality and morbidity in the young population. The mostcommon modes of injury in such patients is motor vehicleaccidents followed by other high energy traumatic scenarioslike falls from height, contact sports, violence etc. This studywas aimed at the evaluation and management of BCT with ribfractures and associated injuries.Material and Methods: The present study was a retrospectivecum prospective hospital based study done in SKIMS MedicalCollege Hospital, Srinagar, J & K, India. Sixty four patientswho attended the Emergency Department with history of bluntchest injury were included in the study. Patients of all gendersbetween 18 and 65 years of age were included in the study.The data regarding age, gender, mode of injury, presence ofthoracic injuries, abdominal injuries, skeletal injuries wasgathered and tabulated.Results: We observed a strong male preponderance with45 out of 64 patients being male. Most common mode ofinjury was traffic accidents followed by falls from height,fall of heavy objects, hit by animals, violence and contactsports. Associated injuries were seen in both thoracic andextra-thoracic organs. Musculoskeletal injuries were alsocommonly seen. Patients were managed according to ATLSprotocol; fifteen patients were managed with intercostal tubedrainage four of which required thoracotomy, four patientsrequired laparotomy for visceral injuries, four patientsrequired fixation of vertebral fractures and musculoskeletalinjuries were managed according to the orthopaedic protocols.In the present study four (6.25%) died as a result of massivethoracic injuries.Conclusion: Blunt chest injury is a serious injury whichcan result in life threatening complications which need to beanticipated, identified and adequately managed to reduce therates of poor outcome. Integrated management employingthe general surgeon, anesthetist, orthopaedician, internistand relevant paramedics is essential. Strict adherence toATLS protocol is imperative. Adequate fluid resuscitation,ventilatory support, O2 inhalation, pulmonary physical therapyand efficient analgesia can lead to quick recovery and reducedrates of surgical intervention