OBJECTIVE: Death due to thoracic trauma accounts for 20% of all trauma deaths. The aim of this study was to discuss the approach applied by general surgeons to thoracic trauma in our center. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A total of 89 patients (82 male, 7 female; mean age: 26.8 years; range: 7 to 77 years) with thoracic trauma who were admitted to the emergency department and underwent thoracostomy performed by general surgeons between January 2008 and December 2013 were retrospectively analyzed. RESULTS: Penetrating trauma was found in 61 patients (68%); this was the most common cause of thoracic trauma. Pneumothorax, the most common clinical sign, was found in 57 patients (64%). Abdominal pathologies, the most common concomitant extra-thoracic pathologies, were found in 17 patients (19%). Fifteen patients (17%) underwent laparotomy due to 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: All general surgeons should be highly familiar with approaches to thoracic trauma, and necessary interventions should be performed in emergency situations. It is also essential to correctly identify patients who require timely and appropriate referral to a tertiary center to reduce the rates of mortality and morbidity.
OBJECTIVE: Death due to thoracic trauma accounts for 20% of all trauma deaths. The aim of this study was to discuss the approach applied by general surgeons to thoracic trauma in our center. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A total of 89 patients (82 male, 7 female; mean age: 26.8 years; range: 7 to 77 years) with thoracic trauma who were admitted to the emergency department and underwent thoracostomy performed by general surgeons between January 2008 and December 2013 were retrospectively analyzed. RESULTS: Penetrating trauma was found in 61 patients (68%); this was the most common cause of thoracic trauma. Pneumothorax, the most common clinical sign, was found in 57 patients (64%). Abdominal pathologies, the most common concomitant extra-thoracic pathologies, were found in 17 patients (19%). Fifteen patients (17%) underwent laparotomy due to 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: All general surgeons should be highly familiar with approaches to thoracic trauma, and necessary interventions should be performed in emergency situations. It is also essential to correctly identify patients who require timely and appropriate referral to a tertiary center to reduce the rates of mortality and morbidity.
Authors: David T Harrington; Benjamin Phillips; Jason Machan; Nikos Zacharias; George C Velmahos; Michael S Rosenblatt; Eleanor Winston; Lisa Patterson; Steven Desjardins; Robert Winchell; Sheldon Brotman; Andrei Churyla; John T Schulz; Adrian A Maung; Kimberly A Davis Journal: Arch Surg Date: 2010-05
Authors: Riad N Younes; Jefferson L Gross; Samuel Aguiar; Fabio J Haddad; Daniel Deheinzelin Journal: J Am Coll Surg Date: 2002-11 Impact factor: 6.113
Authors: Essa M AlEassa; Mariam J Al-Marashda; Amgad Elsherif; Hani O Eid; Fikri M Abu-Zidan Journal: J Cardiothorac Surg Date: 2013-03-30 Impact factor: 1.637
Authors: Mersadies Martin; Cory T Schall; Cheryl Anderson; Nicole Kopari; Alan T Davis; Penny Stevens; Pam Haan; John P Kepros; Benjamin D Mosher Journal: Springerplus Date: 2013-12-01