Abstract:

Background: The aim of this study is to share the experience we gained in the patients with thoracic trauma and to compare our data with the literature. Material And Method: One hundred and ninety-five patients who were presented to emergency unit with chest trauma between January 2010 and August 2012 were analyzed retrospectively by age, gender, type of trauma, method of treatment and time of hospital stay. Results: Thirty-nine (20%) patients were female an one hundred and fifty-five (80%) patients were male. The average of the patients' ages was 40.2 (3-93 years). 139 (71.2%) patients had blunt and 56 (29.8%) patients had penetrating chest trauma. The most seen thoracic injury was rib fracture (47.1%). Accompanying traumas were observed in 41 (21%) patients and they were in extremity in 23 (56%), head in 16 (39%) and heart in 2 (5%) cases. In relation to the type of injury, 89 (45,6%) patients were conservatively treated while 80 (41%) patients were treated with tube thoracostomy while thoracoscopy was performed on 7 (3,6%) and thoracotomy on 19 (9,8%) patients. The mortality rate was calculated as 2% (n=4). The high rate of mortality recognised in thoracic trauma can be reduced by true and fast decisions in diagnosis and treatment of the patients.

Keywords: