Blunt thoracic trauma in children

Thirty four children with blunt thoracic trauma mere treated at the university hospital Trabzon. Eighteen of them were sustained in motor vehicle accidents, 14 mere falls and two were a result of miscellaneous causes. Rib fracture developed in 16 patients and pulmonary contusion occurred in 18 patients. Pneumothorax existed in 19 patients, and hemothorax mas noted in ten patients. Traumatic asphyxia occurred in seven patients. Associated head, abdominal and orthopedic injuries were present in 21 patients. Chest drainage was performed In nineteen patients, while 15 patients received conservative treatment. Five patients required an emergency operation. Complications developed in five patients. Four patients were lost due to multiple system injuries. In this study, the injury patterns, complications and mortality of blunt thoracic injuries were discussed.