A Comparison of Tube Thoracostomy for Chest Trauma Between Prehospital and Inhospital Settings.

Abstract

OBJECTIVE:

We compared the outcomes of patients with tube thoracostomy for chest trauma between the prehospital and inhospital settings.

METHODS:

The subjects were then divided into 2 groups: the prehospital group, which included subjects who underwent tube thoracostomy in the prehospital setting, and the inhospital group, which included subjects who underwent tube thoracostomy in the inhospital setting. The variables were compared between the 2 groups.

RESULTS:

There were no significant differences between the 2 groups with regard to gender, age, history, mechanism of injury, infusion of antibiotics, white blood cell count, duration of insertion of a chest drain, mechanical ventilation, complication of drain infection, duration of admission, or final outcome. However, the Injury Severity Score, maximum C-reactive protein level, and maximum temperature during hospitalization in the prehospital group (n = 15) were significantly greater than those in the inhospital group (n = 119).

CONCLUSION:

The present study suggested that thoracostomy performed by physicians in the prehospital setting was safe and did not have an increased risk of infection. In addition, thoracostomy for chest injury in the prehospital setting suggested an improvement in the likelihood of a survival outcome.

• Authors: Yoshihiro Kushida, Ikuto Takeuchi, Ken-Ichi Muramatsu, Hiroki Nagasawa, Kei Jitsuiki, Hiromichi Ohsaka, Kouhei Ishikawa, Youichi Yanagawa
• Journal: Air medical journal (Air Med J) 2023 Jan-Feb Vol. 42 Issue 1 Pg. 24-27 ISSN: 1532-6497 [Electronic] United States
• PMID: 36710031 (Publication Type: Comparative Study, Journal Article)
• Copyright: Copyright © 2022 Air Medical Journal Associates. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Topics

• Humans
• Chest Tubes
• Drainage
• Emergency Medical Services
• Pneumothorax (etiology)
• Retrospective Studies
• Thoracic Injuries (surgery, complications)
• Thoracostomy