[Thoracic injuries at a regional trauma centre].
BACKGROUND
The purpose of this study was to establish patient characteristics and the severity and extent of thoracic injury for patients referred to a Norwegian regional trauma centre.


METHODS
All patients (n = 436) treated for thoracic injuries at St. Olavs University Hospital between 01.01. 2003 and 31.12. 2004 were analysed retrospectively. The patients were identified from the hospital diagnosis registry by ICD-10 codes.


RESULTS
Traffic accidents and falls accounted for 92% of all injuries. The most common thoracic injury was rib fracture (55%) and the most common internal thoracic injury was pneumothorax (24%). About half of the patients (221/446) had associated extra-thoracic injuries. Observation and pain relief was the only treatment in 290 patients. Chest tube was the most common treatment, and was used in 88 cases (20%). 50 patients (12%) received ventilator treatment. Nine patients underwent thoracic surgery, four of these died. In-hospital mortality was 5% (20/436 patients). Head injury and bleeding from internal organs were the most frequent causes of death.


CONCLUSIONS
Thoracic injuries are a frequent challenge at St. Olavs University Hospital. Many patients have both thoracic and extra-thoracic injuries. Mortality is related to the severity of the injury, advanced age and comorbidity.
Kjøs
Hans Olav
HO
Det medisinske fakultet, Norges teknisk-naturvitenskapelige universitet, 7030 Trondheim.
Lande
Tora M Zimmer
TM
Eriksson
Ulrika
U
Nordhaug
Dag
D
Karevold
Asbjørn
A
Haaverstad
Rune
R
D000063:Accidents, Traffic; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002648:Child; D005260:Female; D017052:Hospital Mortality; D006801:Humans; D015601:Injury Severity Score; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011030:Pneumothorax / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000628:therapy; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012253:Rib Fractures / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000628:therapy; D013898:Thoracic Injuries / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000628:therapy; D014193:Trauma Centers