Abstract
In this study, our aim is to analyze the etiologies, demographic characteristics, treatment approaches, morbidity and mortality characteristics of orthopedic trauma patients accompanied by lung injury. The records of polytrauma patients who were followed up and treated in Mardin State Hospital by orthopedics and traumatology and thoracic surgery clinic between 2019-2021 were retrospectively reviewed. All of the patients had thoracic trauma with multiple bone fractures and were followed in the intensive care unit for their vital functions. Patients who needed neurosurgery or general surgery invasive intervention were excluded from the study. Demographic characteristics of the patients, trauma etiology, affected body part, the way they are affected by the patient's thorax, fractured features, treatment, and time, duration of hospitalization, complications, and Radiological characteristics of the transaction information from the data base hospital mortality data were recorded. Statistical analysis of the obtained data was performed. 40 patients were included in the study. The median age was 36.5 (14-85) years and 72.5% (n=29) of the patients were male. The median hospitalization time of the patients was 11.5(2-70) days. Patients consisted of 57.5% (n=23) from a traffic accident, 40% (n=16) from a high fall, and 2.5% (n=1) from a firearm-explosive injury. 27.5% (n=11) of the patients included neurosurgery, 10% (n=4) included general surgery pathologies. The most common fracture of the scapula was found in the entire group of patients. 30% (n=12) of the patients had pneumothorax, 30% (n=12) had hemothorax, and 55% (n=22) had at least one denim fracture. Concomitant pneumothorax increased the mortality of patients by 1.8 times (%95 CI: 1.717-1997), while concomitant hemothorax increased mortality by 1.9 times (%95 CI:1.797-2.061). 67.5% (n=27) of the patients were followed up with damage-preserving surgery and 32.5% (n=13) with conservative treatment. There was no statistical difference in mortality between the two groups. The mortality of fracture patients accompanied by thoracic injury is high. Maintaining treatment in the light of surgical principles that protect against damage to patients scheduled for surgery can improve survival.