Pattern of Chest Injuries in a Tertiary Care Centre in Western U.P

Background: Chest trauma is a leading cause of morbidity and mortality among all age groups.. This retrospective study has been undertaken to analyse the pattern of chest injuries among patients admitted in a tertiary care centre. Methods: All the in-patient records of patients, admitted with abdominal injuries in the emergency department of the Teerthankar Mahaveer Medical College & Research Centre, located in Moradabad (U.P.). Results: There were total 139 cases of chest injuries, during the study period. 84 victims were in 2 to 4 decades of life, 18 in 5 decade, 8 in 1 decade and the remaining 19 patients were in either extremes of age groups. The male to female ratio was 2.4:1. There were 111 cases of blunt chest injuries and 28 cases of penetrating injuries. Most common X ray findings were haemothorax, seen in 94 cases followed by pneumothorax in 59 cases and multiple rib fractures in 50 cases. Blunt injuries were caused due to accidents in 102 cases and homicides in 9 cases. Penetrating injuries were caused due to accidents in 15 cases and homicides in 13. The mortality rate was 6.4%. Conclusion: Chest Injuries were more common among males than females.