Clinical profile of thoracic trauma in children--a study from Aligarh, N. India.
A total of 60 cases of thoracic trauma in children, treated over a period of 4.5 years (January 1983 to June 1987), were analysed. Blunt-impact trauma was the major cause in 58.33% cases, stressing that bullock-cart accidents and bull-horn and buffalo-hoof injuries are still a continuing cause of chest injury in developing countries. Haemo- and/or pneumothorax were the main injuries (78.33%), but cardiac and oesophageal involvement were seen, in two cases each. Isolated first rib fracture was another surprising finding. Except for three, all the cases presented within 24 h of injury. Cyanosis and profound shock were found in five patients each. The majority of the patients (60%) were treated with intercostal tube drainage and major surgical operations were needed in 30%. In the remaining 10%, observation was sufficient. There were two deaths (3.33%), with a success rate of 96.67%.
Beg
M H
MH
Department of General Surgery, J.N. Medical College, A.M.U., India.
Ansari
M M
MM
Reyazuddin
D000293:Adolescent; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D006491:Hemothorax / Q000453:epidemiology*; D006801:Humans; D007194:India; D007223:Infant; D011030:Pneumothorax / Q000453:epidemiology*; D013898:Thoracic Injuries / Q000453:epidemiology*