A Descriptive Study of Patients with Blunt Trauma Chest, Its Management and Outcome

Abstract

Aims and Objective: This study assessed the clinical profile, management, polytrauma incidence, and outcome of 64 cases of blunt trauma chest at a tertiary care centre. Study Design: Prospective study. Place and Duration of Study: Department of general surgery, Indira Gandhi Government Medical College, Nagpur, Maharashtra, India between June 2020 to Nov 2022. Materials and Methods: Data were collected on patients admitted with blunt trauma chests. Demographics, symptoms, signs, management modalities, and treatment outcomes were recorded. Results: Vehicular accidents caused 48.4% of cases, with a mean age of 42.4 years and an M: F ratio of 6.1:1. Chest pain and tenderness were common presenting symptoms and signs. Conservative management was used in 45.3% of cases, tube thoracostomy in 54.7%, thoracotomy in 3.1%, and exploratory laparotomy with splenectomy in 1.6%. Conclusion: Blunt chest trauma usually caused by vehicular accidents. It can be managed with thoracostomy or conservative methods depending on the clinical presentation and severity.