Abstract
Thoracic trauma is a situation with great morbidity and mortality in children; even though it does not present alone but as part of generalized trauma, the injuries resulting from this entity are key factors, as an isolated cause or as an associated lesión, in the outcome. Initial management and physical examination is quite different in pediatric patients owing to the fact that their anatomy and physiology differs from adults and common injuries are not as common as they are in older patients (E.g. rib fractures). Nonetheless clinicians must search for cardiac, pulmonary, esophageal and diaphragmatic injuries among others. According to the cause of the trauma there is a difference on the type of injuries, being motor vehicle accidents, falls and motor vehicle/bicycle the most prevailing causes of blunt chest trauma; gunshot wounds, stab injuries and sharp objects are the main causes of penetrating chest trauma. Age is another important variable since its change modifes the type, intensity, cause and management of the injuries. The objective of this review article is to show the most general aspects of thoracic trauma in pediatrics, incluiding part of its initial management and the possible complications that may arise, therefore allowing medical students, general doctors and specialist to manage these patients properly.
Key words: Thoracic injuries. Child. Pneumothorax. Hemothorax. Heart injuries.
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