Open AccessBlunt Thoracic Trauma Analysis of 515 Patients
Author(s) -
Robert M. Shorr,
Michael D. Crittenden,
Matthew Indeck,
Susan L. Hartunian,
Aurelio Rodríguez
Publication year - 1987
Publication title -
annals of surgery
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 4.153
H-Index - 309
eISSN - 1528-1140
pISSN - 0003-4932
DOI - 10.1097/00000658-198708000-00013
Subject(s) - medicine , blunt , atelectasis , surgery , blunt trauma , mortality rate , chest injury , resuscitation , thorax (insect anatomy) , complication , radiology , lung , anatomy
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.