title: Thoracotomy in Thoracic Injuries: Results from a Tertiary Referral Hospital.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Critically injured patients may require thoracotomy after a thoracic injury. This study is a retrospective analysis of the results of thoracotomy in patients with thoracic injury.
  
  
  METHODS
  Injured patients with detectable signs of life on arrival at the hospital and who underwent thoracotomy within 4 h of the injury were investigated. Demographic data and medical records were reviewed for associated injuries, indications, intraoperative findings, and outcomes. The factors affecting the mortality were analyzed.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Between April 2003 and January 2009, 488 patients with thoracic injury (blunt/penetrating = 73.7%/26.3%) were treated, and 20 (4.1%) underwent thoracotomy (male/female = 17/3, mean age = 27 ± 9 years). The injury was penetrating in 15 (11.7%) and blunt in five (1.4%). None of them required an endotracheal intubation at the scene or in transit. The mean transport time was 58 min. Severe and continuous hemothorax (80%), massive air leak, major vessel injury, and trauma causing an open chest wall defect with bleeding were indications of the thoracotomy. Eighty-five percent survived after the surgery (penetrating/ blunt = 86.6%/80%). The mean injury severity score (ISS) of the survivors was lower (21 ± 9 vs. 39 ± 10, p = 0.05). Mortality was associated with a lower Glasgow coma scale (GCS) (p = 0.03), a higher ISS (p = 0.05), and a longer transport time (p = 0.05).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Thoracotomy after thoracic injury is a life-saving procedure in selected cases. Lower GCS and higher ISS are associated with increased mortality. Early transport and quick attempts to diagnose the indications necessitating thoracotomy play a significant role in improving the outcome.
authors.affiliation: Department of Thoracic Surgery, Firat University Hospital, Firat University Faculty of Medicine, Elaziğ, Turkey. moozyurtkan@hotmail.com.
authors.forename: Mehme Oğuzhan
authors.initials: MO
authors.lastname: Özyurtkan
authors.affiliation: Department of Thoracic Surgery, Firat University Hospital, Firat University Faculty of Medicine, Elaziğ, Turkey.
authors.forename: Akın Eraslan
authors.initials: AE
authors.lastname: Balcı
authors.affiliation: Department of Thoracic Surgery, Firat University Hospital, Firat University Faculty of Medicine, Elaziğ, Turkey.
authors.forename: Muharrem
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Çakmak
keywords: Chest trauma; Emergency surgery; Thoracic; Thoracic trauma
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