Assessment and Management of Blunt Chest Trauma among Patients Admitted to Al-Thowrah Hospital, Sana'a-Yemen

Abstract

Background: Blunt thoracic injuries are directly responsible for 20-25% of all deaths, and chest trauma is a major contributor in another 50% of death. This kind of death usually occurs immediately after the trauma has occurred. Aim: The aim of this study was to assess and manage of blunt chest trauma in patients admitted to AMGH, Sana'a-Yemen. Methods: A hospital-based study was administered among 102 cases of blunt chest trauma presented to AMGH, Sana'a.Yemenbetween1 January 2013to February 2014.One hundred two consecutive patients with blunt chest trauma, admitted in the ward through emergency department were evaluated in regard to age, sex, type of trauma, cause of the trauma, specific type of blunt chest injuries and treatment modality. Results: There were 83 male (81.4%) and 19 female (18.6%). The most common causes were Road traffic accident in 79 cases (77.45%), falling from height 16 cases (15.6%) and others 7 cases (6.86). The common clinical presentation is rib fracture in74cases (72.55%), then pulmonary contusion in 39 cases (38.23), hemo-pneumothorax in 38cases (37.25%), pneumothorax in 26cases (25.49%), diaphragmatic injury 3 cases (2.94%). Out of 102 patients (11.76%) were treated conservatively, thoracostomy tube insertion for 86 cases (84.31%), thoracotomy done for 1cases (0.98%), laparotomy fore diaphragmatic injuries for 2 cases (1.96%) and laparotomy with thoracotomy also for one case. Conclusions: Blunt chest trauma is an important public health problem accounting for a substantial proportion of all trauma admission among emergency patients admitted to the surgical department at AMGH. The pattern of blunt chest trauma and its management was almost similar to many studies. This study showed the pattern of injuries following blunt chest trauma. Furthermore, it was found that chest tube insertion and emergency resuscitation was adequate for majority of cases.