Age differences in blunt chest trauma: a cross-sectional study

Introduction: Trauma is the most common cause of presentation to hospital emergency services. After extremity and cranial injuries, blunt thoracic trauma is the third most common injury. Aim: In this study, we aimed to present and assess blunt chest trauma in adults aged below 65 and elderly (age >= 65). Material and methods: In this study, 130 patients (86 young (age 18-64) and 44 elderly (age >= 65)) who applied to the emergency department with blunt thoracic trauma between October 2017 and October 2019 were evaluated retrospectively. Results: Of the patients, 99 (76.1%) were male, and 31 (23.9%) were female. The mean age was 54.41 +/- 20.13 years, and the patients were between 18 and 95 years of age. The most common cause of blunt thoracic trauma in the elderly group was a fall (n = 27; 61.3%), while in-vehicle traffic accident was most common in the young group (n = 43; 50%). Flail chest, which is observed as a complication after multiple rib fractures, was present in 1 patient in the young group and in 10 patients in the elderly group; the difference was statistically significant (p > 0.05). Seven (5.3%) patients died. The mean hospital stay was 5.1 (1-60) days, which was borderline-significantly higher in the elderly group (p = 0.056). Conclusions: Due to its life-threatening properties, the detection of blunt thorax trauma is a priority among multiple-trauma patients. For this reason, an aggressive diagnosis and treatment approach is essential in the whole patient group, especially among the elderly.