Abstract

Introduction: Chest trauma is a highly associated cause of morbidity and mortality in trauma patients and one that accounts for a large percentage of emergency presentations, often necessitating urgent, evidence-based decision-making. The presentation gives an overview of current strategies and clinical guidelines for maximizing the evaluation and management of thoracic injury.

The talk begins with a classification of chest trauma into penetrating and blunt types based on epidemiological patterns and mechanisms of injury. The primary survey algorithm is followed in the initial assessment, prioritizing the ABCDE (airway, breathing, circulation, disability, exposure) to detect early life-threatening conditions such as tension pneumothorax, hemothorax, and cardiac tamponade. Secondary assessment includes a comprehensive history, focused physical examination, and adjunctive testing, including chest radiograph, computed tomography (CT), focused assessment with sonography in trauma (FAST, a brief bedside ultrasound examination), and arterial blood gas analysis.

Individual thoracic injuries such as rib fractures, flail chest, pulmonary contusion, tracheobronchial injury, and myocardial trauma are elaborately described along with their relative management. Modalities of management range from analgesia and oxygenation to chest tube thoracostomy, minimal access procedures, and emergency operations. Emphasis is placed on early management, a multidisciplinary approach, and adherence to international guidelines, including Advanced Trauma Life Support (ATLS) and EAST guidelines.

Post-acute care, including complication monitoring, rehabilitation, and functional outcome assessment, is also included. Practice in clinical decision-making, illustrated through case-based examples, facilitates the everyday application of protocol-driven practice and instills confidence in healthcare professionals.

Conclusion: Early identification, formal assessment, and adherence to standardized protocols are not only obligatory but also guarantee a secure environment for reduced mortality and improved functional recovery of chest trauma. Scenario-based training and continuing education remain vital for improving trauma system performance and the quality of patient care.

Keywords: Chest trauma, trauma management, diagnostic protocols, therapeutic interventions, evidence-based care, ATLS