PREVALENCE AND PATTERN OF CHEST TRAUMA IN SAUDI ARABIA: A SINGLE-CENTER EXPERIENCE.

Background: Chest injuries are one of the common causes of mortality and morbidity. Aim: our aim was to analyze the prevalence, pattern, severity, and management of chest injuries and to outline the outcome and the prognosis in our local setting. Methods: We conducted this retrospective study in King Abdul-Aziz Specialist Hospital, Taif, (KSA). A total of 226 patients who presented to the ER with chest injuries were included in the study. The data collected and entered into the proforma. Results: The highest rate of injuries was observed in the age group of 21–30 years old. Most patients were male (87.2%) and involved in RTAs (86.7%). The most common clinical type of chest injury was lung contusion, followed by rib fractures and pneumo-thorax. Head trauma was the most common extra-thoracic injury, followed by injury to the extremities. 75.2% of patients were managed conservatively, 25.2% % required tube thoracostomy, while 1.8% required thoracotomy. Length of hospital stay was increased in patients with extra-thoracic injuries and those who were intubated. Conclusion: RTAs constitute the leading cause of chest trauma in our locality. Establishing a national chest trauma database is an essential step toward decreasing the burden of traumatic chest injuries.