Demographic Characteristics and Injury Patterns in Patients with Flail Chest Trauma

Open Access

Abstract

Background: Flail chest is a serious form of blunt thoracic trauma associated with significant respiratory compromise and frequently accompanied by other thoracic injuries. Understanding the demographic characteristics and injury patterns of affected patients is important for timely diagnosis and management. Methods & Materials: This cross-sectional study was conducted in the Department of Thoracic Surgery, National Institute of Diseases of the Chest and Hospital (NIDCH), Dhaka, Bangladesh, from January 2010 to December 2010. A total of 60 patients with flail chest were included. Patients were divided into Group I (Central Flail Chest, n=22) and Group II (Other Flail Chest, n=38). Results: The mean age was 38.3 ± 14.4 years in Group I and 41.4 ± 18.2 years in Group II (p=0.471). Male patients predominated in both groups, accounting for 81.8% and 65.8% of Group I and Group II, respectively (p=0.184). Chest pain was present in all patients. Respiratory distress occurred in 72.7% of Group I and 57.9% of Group II patients, while cyanosis was observed in 40.9% and 15.8%, respectively. The mean number of fractured ribs was significantly higher in Group I than in Group II (9 ± 2 vs. 5 ± 1; p<0.001). Road traffic accidents were the leading cause of injury in both groups. Haemopneumothorax was the most common associated condition, followed by lung contusion and surgical emphysema. Conclusion: Flail chest trauma predominantly affected males and was most commonly caused by road traffic accidents. Central flail chest was associated with a higher number of rib fractures and more severe clinical manifestations.