Özet:

Objective: Death due to thoracic trauma accounts for 20% of all trauma deaths. The aim of this study was to discuss our approach applied by general surgeons for thoracic traumas in our center. Material and Methods: A total of 89 patients (82 males, 7 females; mean age: 26.8 years; range: 7 to 77 years) with thoracic trauma who were admitted to the emergency department and underwent thoracostomy by general surgeons between January 2008 and December 2013 were retrospectively analyzed. Results: Penetrating trauma was found in 61 patients (68%), which was the most common cause of thoracic trauma. Pneumothorax was the most common clinical sign in 57 patients (64%). Abdominal pathologies were the most common concomitant extra-thoracic pathologies in 17 patients (19%). Fifteen patients (17%) underwent laparotomy due to an intra-abdominal organ injuries. Splenic trauma and diaphragmatic injury were detected in five patients. Complications were seen in two patients (2.2%): one had an air leak and one had persistent pneumothorax. Three patients with multi-trauma died in the early period due to additional pathologies. No mortality was seen in any patient due to thoracic trauma. Conclusion: Approaches to thoracic trauma should be well-known by all general surgeons and necessary emergency interventions should be performed as a matter of urgency. It is also essential to correctly select patients who are in need of a timely and appropriate referral to a tertiary center to reduce the rate of mortality and morbidity.

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