Analysis of 89 patients who underwent tube thoracostomy performed by general surgeons

Özet

Objective: Death due to thoracic trauma accounts for 20% of all trauma deaths. The aim of this study was to discussthe approach applied by general surgeons to thoracic trauma in our center.Material and Methods: A total of 89 patients (82 male, 7 female; mean age: 26.8 years; range: 7 to 77 years) withthoracic trauma who were admitted to the emergency department and underwent thoracostomy performed bygeneral surgeons between January 2008 and December 2013 were retrospectively analyzed.Results: Penetrating trauma was found in 61 patients (68%); this was the most common cause of thoracic trauma.Pneumothorax, the most common clinical sign, was found in 57 patients (64%). Abdominal pathologies, the mostcommon concomitant extra-thoracic pathologies, were found in 17 patients (19%). Fifteen patients (17%) underwentlaparotomy due to intra-abdominal organ injuries. Splenic trauma and diaphragmatic injury were detected in fivepatients. Complications were seen in two patients (2.2%): one had an air leak and one had persistent pneumothorax.Three patients with multi-trauma died in the early period due to additional pathologies. No mortality was seen inany patient due to thoracic trauma.Conclusion: All general surgeons should be highly familiar with approaches to thoracic trauma, and necessary interventionsshould be performed in emergency situations. It is also essential to correctly identify patients who requiretimely and appropriate referral to a tertiary center to reduce the rates of mortality and morbidity.