Chest injuries associated with earthquakes: an analysis of injuries sustained during the 2008 Wen-Chuan earthquake in China.
OBJECTIVE
The goal of this study was to analyze the patterns, therapeutic modalities, and short-term outcomes of patients with chest injuries in the aftermath of the Wen-Chuan earthquake, which occurred on May 12, 2008 and registered 8.0 on the Richter scale.


METHODS
Of the 1522 patients who were referred to the West China Hospital of Sichuan University from May 12 to May 27, 169 patients (11.1%) had suffered major chest injuries. The type of injury, the presence of infection, Abbreviated Injury Score (AIS 2005), New Injury Severity Score (NISS), treatment, and short-term outcome were all documented for each case.


RESULTS
Isolated chest injuries were diagnosed in 129 patients (76.3%), while multiple injuries with a major chest trauma were diagnosed in 40 patients (23.7%). The mean AIS and the median NISS of the hospitalized patients with chest injuries were 2.5 and 13, respectively. The mortality rate was 3.0% (5 patients).


CONCLUSIONS
Most of the chest injuries were classified as minor to moderate trauma; however, coexistent multiple injuries and subsequent infection should be carefully considered in medical response strategies. Coordinated efforts among emergency medical support groups and prior training in earthquake preparedness and rescue in earthquake-prone areas are therefore necessary for efficient evacuation and treatment of catastrophic casualties.
Hu
Jia
J
Department of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery, West China Hospital of Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, PR China.
Guo
Ying-Qiang
YQ
Zhang
Er-Yong
EY
Tan
Jin
J
Shi
Ying-Kang
YK
D015998:Abbreviated Injury Scale; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D002681:China / Q000453:epidemiology; D055866:Earthquakes / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D005260:Female; D006305:Health Status Indicators; D006801:Humans; D055370:Lung Injury / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D018570:Risk Assessment; D012307:Risk Factors; D013898:Thoracic Injuries / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D055815:Young Adult