Cohort Study on the Prevalence and Risk Factors for Delayed Pulmonary Complications in Adults Following Minor Blunt Thoracic Trauma. Issue 2 (4th March 2015)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Plourde, Miville; Émond, Marcel; Lavoie, André; Guimont, Chantal; Le Sage, Natalie; Chauny, Jean-Marc; Bergeron, Éric; Vanier, Laurent; Moore, Lynne; Allain-Boulé, Nadine; Fratu, Ramona-Florina; Dufresne, Maryline
• Is Part Of: CJEM. Volume 16:Issue 2(2014:Mar.)
• Page Start: 136
• Page End: 143
• Publication Date: 2015-03-04
• Subjects: delayed hemothorax, -- delayed pneumothorax, -- late hemothorax, -- late pneumothorax, -- thoracic trauma; Emergency Treatment -- Periodicals; Emergency Medicine -- Periodicals; Emergency medical services -- Canada -- Periodicals; Medical emergencies -- Canada -- Periodicals; Emergency medical services; Medical emergencies; Canada; Periodicals; 616.02505
• DOI: 10.2310/8000.2013.131043
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1481-8035

Abstract

ABSTRACT: Objectives: The objectives of this study are to determine the prevalence, risk factors, and time to onset of delayed hemothorax and pneumothorax in adults who experienced a minor blunt thoracic trauma. Method: A prospective cohort of 450 consecutive patients was recruited. Eligible patients had to be over 16 years of age, consulted within 72 hours for a trauma, and available for outpatient follow-up at 2, 7, and 14 days posttrauma. The clinical outcome investigated was the presence of delayed pneumothorax or hemothorax on the follow-up chest x-ray. Outcomes: Delayed hemothorax occurred in 11.8% (95% CI 8.8–14.8), and delayed pneumothorax occurred in 0.9% (95% CI 0.2–2.3) of participants. During the 14-day follow-up period, 87.0% of these delayed complications developed in the first week. In the multivariate analysis, the only statistically significant risk factor for delayed complications was the location of fractures on the x-ray of the hemithorax. The adjusted odds ratio was 1.52 (95% CI 0.62–3.73) for the lower ribs (tenth to twelfth rib), 3.11 (95% CI 1.60–6.08) for the midline ribs (sixth to ninth rib), and 5.05 (95% CI 1.80–14.19) for the upper ribs (third to fifth rib) versus patients with no fractures. Conclusion: The presence of at least one rib fracture between the third and ninth rib on the x-ray of the hemithorax is a significant risk factor for delayed hemothorax and pneumothorax.