A Stitch in Time Saves Nine: Analytic Review of 66 Cases of Chest Trauma

Abstract

Ghulam Shabbir Pervez, Syed Saqib Raza Bokhari, Faiza Siddique, Saima Sultan, Muhammad Mohsin Gillani and Ahmad Abutalib

Human passion for speed and quarrels has contributed a lot to morbidity and mortality. Trauma stands amongst the major causes of death all over the globe. Amongst all variants of trauma chest trauma demands the maximum number of lives due to its severity. A study claims that 25% deaths are caused by thoracic trauma in USA. When we bring in to consideration the developing countries, the toll is considerably higher. A prompt evaluation and quick intervention can significantly reduce this number. We reviewed 66 patients who presented with chest trauma. In all of them a thoracotomy, whether open or Video Assisted, was performed after an initial Tube thoracostomy. These patients were operated during one year and follow-up made for a minimum of 3 months. Majority of them belonged to the age group 10-40 years with a predominance of males. 30 had blunt while 36 penetrating injuries. Haemo-pneumothorax was the most common presentation (46/ 66). 56 were managed by Video-assisted thoracotomy while the rest were offered a limited/ standard thoracotomy. The time interval between injury and thoracotomy was less than 72 hours in 56. A good outcome was achieved in 54 patients where lung was completely restored with no morbidity. All remained well in their follow-up visits with no complication regarding surgery. It is concluded that early surgery in Thoracic Trauma in selective cases not only improves the outcome but reduces financial burden by decreasing hospital stay.

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