INCIDENCE OF NON MANIFEST CHEST INJURIES IN SEVERE POLYTRAUMA PATIENTS

Abstract

Trauma is the leading cause of death for persons 32 years or younger and is also the largest contributor to years of potential life lost. Studies of missed injuries from the literature showed an incidence ranging from 0.6 % to 0.65 % of trauma patients. The incidence of thoracic missed injuries was about 19.1 % of all missed injuries. Thoracic trauma may account for 25 % of all trauma deaths. Pleural abnormalities after chest trauma are the most frequent complications. Pneumothorax is the most common chest injury after rib fracture. Even a small, occult pneumothorax, defined as a pneumothorax that is missed at clinical examination and an initial chest radiograph, may become life threatening after the administration of general anesthesia or mechanical ventilation.