Chest injury outcomes due to road traffic accidents – an institutional experience

Abstract

Background-Thoracic trauma is one of the leading causes of mortality and morbidity in developing world countries. Complications in chest trauma develop secondary to rib fractures and subsequently leading to pain, inadequate ventilation as well as direct injury to lung parenchyma due to fractured rib segments. Methods-In this study, we present our 2 year experience (August 2017 to August 2019) in the management and clinical outcome of 236 chest trauma cases as a result of road traffic accidents. Patients were divided into three groups based on the presence of rib fractures. The groups were evaluated to demonstrate the relationship between the numbers of rib fractured and associated injuries. Results – Mean hospitalization time was 7.5 days. Mortality rate was 1 % for the patients with only blunt chest trauma, 4 % in patients with more than two rib fractures and 20 % for those with flail chest. We found that there is significant association between the mortality rate and the number of ribs fractured, the patient’s age as well time since the accident. Conclusion – Risk of increased morbidity and mortality was associated with presence of more than two rib fractures, age over 60 years and delayed hospitalization after the injury.