Sternal fracture - regional experience.
A retrospective analysis of 27 sternal fracture patients out of 267 patients with chest trauma was done in the period between March 1990 (9-1410) and April 1994 (11-1414) at Asir Central Hospital, giving an incidence of 10% in all chest trauma. There were 25 males and two females, giving a ratio of 12.5:1. The age range was 18-70, with a mean age of 37.5 years and a median age of 35 years. The mean hospital stay was 12.2 days, with a range of 3 to 53 days and a median of seven days. The mechanism of injury and the types of associated injuries are presented. Twenty-eight percent of the sternal fracture patients had abnormal electrocardiogram. Echocardiogram was done on only eight patients (32%); two were abnormal.
Batouk
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Department of Surgery, College of Medicine, King Saud University, Asir Central Hospital, Abha.