Major thoracic trauma - Sternal trauma

Main Article Content

Lorenzo Dominioni
Fabio Berizzi
Andrea Imperatori
Francesca Rovera
Giulio Carcano

Abstract

From 1999 to 2003, 101 patients (M/F = 83/18, mean age = 46 + 18 y) with thoracic trauma have been admitted to the Center for Thoracic Surgery in Varese.


Over 50% of pts. with major thoracic trauma were treated by chest tube drainage; however, surgery was necessary just in 16/101 pts.; 29 pts. were admitted to ICU; deaths were 3/101.


The Authors recorded 23/101 sternal fractures. Routine blood test, chest radiography and EKG were performed in all patients; in case of abnormal EKG, echocardiography was performed; in case of widened mediastinum, chest CT was mandatory. 13/23 pts. showed associated injuries, 12 pts. a non-aligned sternal fracture, 7 pts. mediastinal hematoma. Simple observation in hospital was indicated in 15/23 pts. with sternal fractures; chest tubes were positioned in 3 pts. (hemopneumothorax) and one patient was surgically treated because of painful sternal pseudoarthrosis (2 months after trauma). Admission in ICU was necessary in 3 pts. with non-aligned sternal fracture, mediastinal hematoma and associated injuries. No patient with sternal fracture died.

Article Details

How to Cite
Dominioni, Lorenzo, et al. “Major Thoracic Trauma - Sternal Trauma”. Annali Italiani Di Chirurgia, vol. 76, no. 3, May 2005, pp. 225-8, https://annaliitalianidichirurgia.it/index.php/aic/article/view/558.
Section
Case Report