Warfare chest traumas: clinical study and analysis


Abstract in English

The main aim of this study is to highlight and analyze the different thoracic injuries during the military conflicts. Medical records of 542 casualties with thoracic injuries were analyzed during study period. 91.9% of the patients were male. The ages were ranging between 3 – 75 years، 88.1% of them were in the age between 20 – 40 years. 71 top urgent casualties (13%) were directly admitted to op-theater، the remaining patients underwent different diagnostic procedures، CT-scan played an important role in the diagnosis of thoracic injuries and was performed in 62.2% of the casualties. 92.8% of the patients sustained penetrating chest injuries due to gunshots and / or missiles and shells. Of the injuries identified، the most prevalent injury was lung contusion، which occurred in 31.9% of casualties، traumatic haemo-and/or pneumothorax occurred in 29.15%، lung laceration in 14.39%، diaphragm injury in 6.45%. 77 patients (13.2%) sustained ribs fractures، 3 patients (3.89%) of them had a diagnosed flail chest injury. Combined injuries were reported to be 61.07% of all casualties. Most of them 46.2% were abdominal injuries، 39.27% were head and neck injuries.

References used

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ZAKHARIA, AT: Thoracic battles injuries in the Lebanon war. Review of the early operative approach in 1.992 pts. Ann thorac surg. 1985 Sep. 40 (3): 209 – 13

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