• Department of Thoracic Surgery,West China Hospital,Sichuan University,Chengdu 610041,P. R. China;
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Objective To summarize our treatment experience for patients with chest injuries in “4•20” Lushan earthquake. Methods Medical records of 17 patients with chest injuries after 2013 Lushan earthquake who were admittedto the Department of Thoracic Surgery,West China Hospital were analyzed retrospectively. The diagnosis of chest injuries was mainly confirmed by medical history,physical examination,X-ray and CT scan of the chest. Clinical characteristics and treatment outcomes were analyzed. Among the 17 patients,there were 14 men and 3 women with their age of 57.3±16.1 years. Results There were 12 patients (70.6%)with crash injury of heavy objects,4 patients (23.5%) with fall injury and 1 patient with road traffic injury. Chest injuries were skin and soft tissue contusion in 17 patients (100%),rib fracturein 15 patients (88.2%) including 1 patient with abnormal respiratory movements,pulmonary contusion in 15 patients (88.2%),hemopneumothorax in 11 patients (64.7%),sternal fracture in 1 patient (5.9%) and bilateral pneumothorax with widespread subcutaneous emphysema in 1 patient (5.9%). Thirteen patients (76.5%) had concomitant brain,abdominal,orthopedic or nerve injuries. One patient underwent left thoracotomy,clot removal and internal fixation of rib fractures for left coagulated hemothorax and left lower lobe atelectasis. All the 17 patients received timely and effective treatment and there was noin-hospital mortality. Conclusions Mechanisms of earthquake injuries are often complex,and patients often have multipleinjuries. The main types of chest injury are rib fractures and pulmonary contusion. Tube thoracostomy is a simple andeffective treatment strategy for them. Satisfactory pain management and bronchoscopy procedure can effectively help patientswith removal of respiratory secretions and maintenance of airway patency.

Citation: PU Qiang,MA Lin,LIU Chengwu,DU Bin,LIAO Hu,LIN Yidan,WU Zhu,LIU Lunxu.. Clinical Analysis of 17 Patients with Chest Injuries in Lushan Earthquake. Chinese Journal of Clinical Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery, 2013, 20(5): 515-517. doi: 10.7507/1007-4848.20130164 Copy

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