Descriptive Study of Blunt Chest Trauma, Its Diagnosis, Management and Complications
Abstract: Blunt chest trauma continues to represent a leading public health and emergency surgical challenge worldwide, carrying high morbidity and treatment resource utilization rates within young and productive civilian populations. This study evaluates the clinical markers, diagnostic frameworks, management modalities, and complications of blunt thoracic injuries inside a busy tertiary care teaching facility. An 18-month descriptive observational study evaluated 60 admitted patients with blunt chest trauma under standard Advanced Trauma Life Support protocols. Data demonstrated a mean cohort age of 38.93 ± 15.87 years with a sharp 3:1 male predominance (75.0%). Road traffic accidents were the single largest mechanism of mechanical injury (58.3%), followed closely by accidental falls from height (16.7%). Over 88% of cases presented with intense chest wall pain, while 50.0% had associated respiratory dyspnea. Skeletal injury was present in 55.0% of cases, with multiple rib fractures spanning up to 6 distinct rib segments. Intrathoracic manifestations mapped via CECT thorax identified simple or tension pneumothorax in 18.3%, localized pulmonary contusions in 16.7%, and acute hemothorax in 10.0%. Universal multimodal analgesia combined with targeted chest physiotherapy allowed for high non-operative success (78.3%), whereas intercostal tube thoracostomy was executed in 20.0% of cases. Intensive care units hosted 28.3% of the cohort. Statistical analyses confirmed a highly significant, absolute association between admission peripheral hypoxia (SpO2
Keywords: Blunt chest trauma, Rib fractures, Pulmonary contusion, Tube thoracostomy
How to Cite?: Dr. Shobha Nisale, Dr. Dnyaneshwar Panchal, Dr. Sagar Kalwale, Dr. Nikila Subhashini, "Descriptive Study of Blunt Chest Trauma, Its Diagnosis, Management and Complications", Volume 15 Issue 7, July 2026, International Journal of Science and Research (IJSR), Pages: 710-714, https://www.ijsr.net/getabstract.php?paperid=SR26626225552, DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.21275/SR26626225552