Blunt thoracic trauma in children.

Thirty four children with blunt thoracic trauma were treated at the university hospital, Trabzon. Eighteen of them were sustained in motor vehicle accidents, 14 were 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 was 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.