BLUNT CHEST TRAUMA AND THE ROLE OF CHEST INTUBATION: A DESCRIPTIVE STUDY FROM AYUB TEACHING HOSPITAL

Abstract

Background: Blunt chest trauma is a major cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide, often resulting from road traffic accidents, falls, and crush injuries. Such trauma can lead to life-threatening conditions including hemothorax, pneumothorax, and pulmonary contusions. Chest intubation (tube thoracostomy) remains the first-line life-saving intervention in the acute management of these injuries. Objective: To evaluate the role of chest intubation in patients with blunt chest trauma, focusing on effectiveness, complications, and clinical outcomes. Methods: A descriptive observational study was conducted on 500 patients with blunt chest trauma admitted to Ayub Teaching Hospital, Abbottabad, from March 2021 to April 2022. Demographics, mechanisms of injury, clinical presentation, complications, and outcomes following chest intubation were analyzed. Results: The majority of patients were male (76%). Road traffic accidents were the most common mechanism (68%), followed by falls (22%) and crush injuries (10%). Chest intubation improved lung expansion in 87% of cases and stabilized hemodynamic parameters in 81%. Complications occurred in 15% of patients, most commonly local infection (7%) and tube blockage (5%). Mortality was 9%, primarily due to associated polytrauma and massive hemorrhage rather than the intubation procedure itself. Conclusion: Chest intubation is an effective and generally safe procedure for the management of blunt chest trauma. Early recognition of thoracic complications, prompt tube insertion, and vigilant monitoring significantly improve survival outcomes. Keywords: blunt chest trauma, chest intubation, tube thoracostomy, hemothorax, pneumothorax, trauma outcomes

Keywords: Blunt Chest Trauma, Chest Intubation, Hemothorax, Pneumothorax, Trauma Management, Tube Thoracostomy