MANAGEMENT OF THORACIC TRAUMA: EXPERIENCE AT AYUB TEACHING HOSPITAL, ABBOTTABAD.
Abstract
Background: The incidence of thoracic trauma has rapidly increased in this century of high speedvehicles, violence and various other disasters. It has been observed that chest intubation was requiredin more than 75% of patients. Methods: This prospective study was performed in cardiothoracicsurgery unit of Ayub Teaching Hospital Abbottabad from Jun 2007 to Dec 2007. A total of 114consecutive patients with chest trauma were included in the study, their patterns of injuries classified,treatment strategies and outcome were recorded on a proforma. Results: Out of 114 patients withchest trauma, 76 (66.65%) were having penetrating and 38 (33.33%) had blunt trauma. Haemothoraxwas detected in 67 (58.77%), Pneumothorax in 23 (20.17%), rib fracture in 11 (15.02%) anddiaphragmatic injuries in 4 (3.5%) cases. Overall complication rate was 14%. Wound infection waspresent in 8 (7.01%) and empyema in 4 (3.5%). Mortality was 2.6%. Conclusion: Penetrating chestinjuries were more common than blunt injuries and chest intubation with resuscitation was adequatein most of the patients.Keywords: Chest Trauma, Penetrating chest injuries, chest intubation.References
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