Abstract
Clinical analysis were performed on 247 cases of thoracic trauma, those were admitted & treated at the department of thoracic & cardiovascular surgery,Hanyang University Hospital during the period from Jan,1989 to June,1992. Age distribution of those was from 2 to 80 years old & mean age was 38 years old. The ratio of male to female patient was 186:61 [3:1].This ratio revealed high incidence in male patient. The most common cause of trauma was traffic accident in this series.The modes of injury were as follows: traffic accident 124 cases[50.2%],fall down 52 cases[21.05%], stab wound 47 cases[19.03%] and gun-shut wound 1 case.Ellapse time from accident to admission were 141 cases [57.09%] under 6 hr.Rib fracture were observed in 159 cases[64.37%], hemo or pneumothorax were observed 134 cases[54.25%] of total cases and location distributed Right:Left:Both[74:112:37], in left predominant. Conservative,non-operative treatment were performed in 128 cases and operation[open thoracotomy] 32 cases.Mortality was 1.6%[4 cases] & most common cause of death were due to irreversible shock with brain edema. Conclusively, more evaluation & co-operation of other department were expected treatment & better prognosis.