title: Etiopathology and management challenges of blunt chest trauma in Nigeria.
abstract: Blunt chest trauma had not been roundly studied in Nigeria. This study was conducted to determine the etiopathological and management challenges of chest trauma in a developing country. In a prospective multicenter hospital-based study of 10-years duration in the city of Lagos, the data of 896 patients were recorded. The male-to-female ratio was 8 : 1, and the mean age was 27.1 years. The majority of patients (76.9%) were aged 20-39 years. Road traffic accidents caused 98.1% of the injuries. Lung parenchymal injuries occurred in 66% of patients, and cardiac trauma in 0.1%. Isolated chest trauma was found in 85% of patients, and 134 had associated injuries. The incidence of blunt chest trauma could be reduced if the number of road traffic accidents in Nigeria is reduced.
authors.affiliation: Cardiothoracic Surgery Unit, Lagos University Teaching Hospital, Lagos, Nigeria. oluwafemithomas@yahoo.com
authors.forename: Martins Oluwafemi
authors.initials: MO
authors.lastname: Thomas
authors.forename: Ezekiel O
authors.initials: EO
authors.lastname: Ogunleye
mesh_terms: D000063:Accidents, Traffic / Q000517:prevention & control; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002648:Child; D003906:Developing Countries; D005260:Female; D006335:Heart Injuries / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D055370:Lung Injury / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009549:Nigeria / Q000453:epidemiology; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012253:Rib Fractures / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy; D012307:Risk Factors; D013898:Thoracic Injuries / Q000209:etiology* / Q000401:mortality / Q000473:pathology / Q000628:therapy*; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014949:Wounds, Nonpenetrating / Q000209:etiology* / Q000401:mortality / Q000473:pathology / Q000628:therapy*; D055815:Young Adult