Prospective Study of Blunt Trauma Chest

Abstract

Introduction: Trauma is a major cause of morbidity and mortality in both developed and developing
countries. Globally 10% of all trauma admissions results from chest injury and 25% of trauma related deaths
are attributed to chest injuries. Chest trauma may present as isolated injury or as a part of polytrauma.
Aim & Objectives: To study the clinical profile of cases with blunt trauma chest in reference to mode of
injury, hospital stay, diagnosis, severity of injury, treatment offered morbidity and mortality.
Material & Methods: A prospective, observational, clinical study was conducted at Department of Surgery,
MMIMSR, Mullana, and Ambala. Consecutive type of non-probability sampling was used for the selection
of study subjects during study duration. A total of 50 consecutive cases fulfilling the eligibility criteria were
taken for study after informed consent. Data was collected from these patients admitted in surgical wards
and ICU. All the patients admitted with provisional diagnosis of blunt trauma chest were admitted in surgical
ward/ ICU. Data was analyzed using statistical software SPSS vesion 21.
Results: As per injury severity score, low to medium severity injury was observed in 66% and 22% cases
respectively. Severe injury was seen in 12% cases. As per injury severity score, low to medium severity
injury was observed in 66% and 22% cases respectively. Severe injury was seen in 12% cases. Conservative
management was sufficient in 36% cases while remaining cases required surgical intervention. Tube
thoracotomy was required in 62% while mechanical ventilation was seen in 36% cases. Laparotomy was
required in 20% cases. Pneumonia developed in 10% cases while pyothorax and septicaemia was seen in
4% and 8% cases respectively. Acute renal failure and Multi-organ dysfunction was seen in 1 case each.
Increased injury severity score was associated with poly-trauma patients (p<0.01). Mean hospital and
ICU stay was more in polytrauma cases as compared to isolated chest trauma cases (p<0.05). Incidence of
Mortality was 4% in present study.
Conclusion: Blunt trauma chest is more common among the young males. Increased outdoor activities and
vehicular