Blunt Thoracic Trauma Analysis of 515 Patients

TLDR

Severe chest trauma can occur without rib or other thoracic bony fractures, and a high index of suspicion with aggressive diagnostic and therapeutic strategies is essential to reduce morbidity and mortality. The study aimed to retrospectively analyze 515 cases of blunt chest trauma. The authors performed a retrospective review of 515 blunt chest trauma cases. The analysis revealed a 36 % thoracic morbidity rate, a 15.5 % mortality rate, atelectasis as the most common complication, and that emergency thoracotomies for resuscitation in patients with absent vital signs were unsuccessful in all 39 cases.

Abstract

A retrospective analysis of 515 cases of blunt chest trauma is presented. The overall thoracic morbidity rate was 36% and mortality rate was 15.5%. Atelectasis was the most common complication. Severe chest trauma can be present in the absence of rib or other thoracic bony fractures. Emergency thoracotomies for resuscitation of the patient with blunt chest trauma with absent vital signs proved unsuccessful in 39 of 39 patients. A high index of suspicion for blunt chest injury occurring in blunt trauma, coupled with an aggressive diagnostic and therapeutic approach, remains the cornerstone of treatment to minimize the morbidity and mortality of such injuries.