Evaluation of pulmonary contusion and its impact on the management outcome in blunt trauma chest

82 consecutive patients meeting the inclusion and exclusion criteria and giving written informed consent for participation in the study shall be recruited. All of the enrolled blunt chest trauma patients’ pertinent data will be gathered in accordance with the proforma. Age and sex, mode of injury (RSA, fall from height, assault, and animal attack), symptoms, and comprehensive demographic and clinical characteristics (cough, chest pain, blood-streaked sputum, shortness of breath) will be assessed in all patients meeting inclusion criteria. Any concomitant illnesses, such as chronic obstructive lung disease,Tuberculosis, hypertension, diabetes mellitus, prior pneumonia, coronary artery disease, and chronic renal failure will be noted and their effects on the course of the patient’s condition will be also analyzed. A general physical examination will be performed, along with local examination findings (tachypnoea, ecchymosis, chest wall tenderness, subcutaneous emphysema, wheezing, and crepitations).Blood investigations including hemogram, serum electrolytes, renal function tests and arterial blood gas analysis, will be carried out at the time of admission and will be repeated as and when required. Radiological investigations including Chest radiographs (AP/PA view), E-FAST/ ultrasonography and NCCT/CECT chest for lung window will be obtained for all the patients.Immediately after admission, patient will be managed with iv fluids, analgesics, broad spectrum antibiotics and /or oxygen therapy. In patients with pneumothorax and hemothorax tube thoracostomy will be done. The patients of severe trauma with flail chest notmaintaining oxygen saturation will be managed by mechanical ventilation along with any surgical intervention (tracheostomy / thoracotomy) if required. Complications if any(pneumonia, empyema, ARDS, COPD exacerbation, MODS, septicemia) during the course of hospital stay will be noted.Result will be consolidated, and the outcome will be correlated with the incidence. Outcome will be studied on the basis of: - requirement of IV antibiotics, IV fluids, analgesia, Duration in hospital stay, Intubation / NIV, Epidural analgesia, ICD and/or thoacotomy, ICU/CCU admission, complications (ARDS, pneumonitis), 30 days morbidity and mortality.