[Anesthesia, ventilation and pain treatment in thoracic trauma]

[Treatment strategy for severe implosion injuries of the lateral chest wall]

In the majority of cases implosion injuries to the thoracic wall are caused by blunt, massive force acting on the thorax. Basically, different regions and directions of the acting energy have to be taken into account. In common usage, the term implosion injury has become established, especially for the sequelae of lateral energy impact. Particular attention should be paid to the stability of the shoulder girdle, the underlying hemithorax and its intrathoracic organs.

Predictive Factors of Ventilatory Support in Chest Trauma

This study aims to define possible predictors of the need of invasive and non-invasive ventilatory support, in addition to predictors of mortality in patients with severe thoracic trauma. Data from 832 patients admitted to our trauma center were collected from 2010 to 2017 and retrospectively analyzed. Demographic data, type of respiratory assistance, chest injuries, trauma scores and outcome were considered. Univariate analysis was performed, and binary logistic regression was applied to significant data. The injury severity score (ISS) and the revised trauma score (RTS) were both found to be predictive factors for invasive ventilation. Multivariate analysis of the anatomical injuries revealed that the association of high-severity thoracic injuries with trauma in other districts is an indicator of the need for orotracheal intubation. From the analysis of physiological parameters, values of systolic blood pressure, lactate, and Glasgow coma scale (GCS) score indicate the need for invasive ventilatory support. Predictive factors for non-invasive ventilation include: RTS, ISS, number of rib fractures and presence of hemothorax. Risk factors for death were: age over 65, the presence of bilateral rib fractures, pulmonary contusion, hemothorax and associated head trauma. In conclusion, the need for invasive ventilatory support in thoracic trauma is associated to the patient’s systemic severity. Non-invasive ventilation is a supportive treatment indicated in physiologically stable patients regardless of the severity of thoracic injury.

Analysis of the therapeutic effect and prognosis in 86 cases of rib fractures and atelectasis

Background

The aim of the present study was to explore the therapeutic effect and prognosis in patients with rib fractures and atelectasis after thoracic trauma in order to provide a basis for clinical decision-making in primary hospitals.

Methods

A retrospective study was conducted on 86 patients admitted to our hospital between January 2016 and May 2020 with rib fractures and atelectasis after thoracic trauma. On the basis of the chest computed tomography scans taken at the time of discharge, the patients were divided into two groups: the reexpansion group and the non-reexpansion group. The two groups were compared with respect to the changes observed in the patients’ levels of blood oxygen saturation (SpO2) and pulmonary function, the presence of secondary pulmonary or thoracic infection, the time of chest tube drainage, the length of hospitalization, the cost of hospitalization, and the patients’ level of satisfaction with their quality of life 3 months after discharge.

Results

In the reexpansion group, there were significant differences in the levels of SpO2 and pulmonary function measured before and after pulmonary reexpansion (P < 0.05). Compared with the non-reexpansion group, the patients in the reexpansion group had a lower incidence of secondary pulmonary and thoracic infection and a higher level of satisfaction with their quality of life after discharge; these differences were statistically significant (P < 0.05). There was no statistical significance between the two groups with respect to the time of chest tube drainage or the length of hospitalization (P > 0.05). However, the cost of hospitalization was significantly higher in the reexpansion group than in the non-reexpansion group (P < 0.05).

Conclusions

The patients in the pulmonary reexpansion group had a lower incidence of complications and a better prognosis than the patients in the non-reexpansion group.