Analytical Study about the Characterization of Thoracic Traumatisms in a High Complexity Hospital of Greater Buenos Aires, in the Period 2017-2018

Abstract

Introduction: trauma disease is the third cause of death when all age groups are considered and the first cause of death between 1 and 45 years. Chest trauma is a highly challenging situation in emergency management.
Objective: to analyze the indications for hospitalization of thoracic traumatisms, the evolution of the patients, instituted treatments and discharge conditions.
Method: non-experimental analysis without control group and transversal study.
Results: 468 patients were studied. The mean age was 36.83 years, 348 (83.3%) men and 120 (16.7%) women. The most frequent mechanism of production was penetrating or open trauma (57.3%). 67.9% were combined chest trauma (polytrauma) and 32.1% were pure chest trauma. 370 (79.1%) patients were admitted. The most frequent type of injuries were pneumothorax, hemothorax, rib fractures and pulmonary contusion.
Conclusion: the severity and presentation of chest injuries depends exclusively on the mechanism and factors that act during the traumatic event. 73.2% of hospitalized patients without associated injuries were due to stab or firearm injuries, 71.4% of hospitalized patients with 1 associated injury were due to motor vehicle collision and 72.6% of hospitalizations with 2 or more injuries were due to stab wounds or firearms.