Clinical Profile, Management, and Outcomes of Chest Injury Patients in Level III Hospitals in the Southwest Region of Cameroon
Présentation Clinique, Prise en Charge et Devenir des Traumatismes Thoraciques dans les Hôpitaux Régionaux de la Région du Sud-Ouest du Cameroun : Une Étude Descriptive Rétrospective
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.17923245Keywords:
Chest injury, trauma, road traffic crash, management; outcomeAbstract
ABSTRACT
Introduction. Chest injuries are a major cause of trauma-related morbidity and mortality, particularly in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) where healthcare resources are limited. However, data on the patterns and outcomes of chest trauma in regional hospitals in Cameroon remain scarce. This study aimed to determine the epidemiology, clinical profiles, management, and outcomes of patients hospitalized with chest injuries in two Level III hospitals in the South-West Region of Cameroon. Material et Method. A retrospective descriptive study was conducted at Buea and Limbe Regional Hospitals from 2015-2020. Medical records of patients admitted with chest injuries were reviewed. After applying inclusion and exclusion criteria, 146 patient records were analysed. Data on demographics, aetiology, injury patterns, management, complications, and outcomes were collected using structured forms and analysed using SPSS version 26. Results. Males predominated (78.1%), with young adults aged 20–39 years most affected (56.2%). Road traffic crashes (RTCs) were the leading cause (62.3%), primarily involving motorbike accidents (13.7%), followed by falls (16.4%) and assaults including gunshot wounds (11.64%). Blunt injuries accounted for 59% of cases, with chest contusions (50.0%) and rib fractures (21.2%) being the most common lesions. Hemothorax was present in 14.1% of cases. Most injuries were mild (AIS 1: 63.7%; ISS 1–8: 75.3%). Over half (56.85%) had associated injuries, mainly to the head and neck. Chest radiography was used in 69.18% of cases, while CT scans were rarely utilized (2.74%). Analgesia was universally administered; chest tube insertion was performed in 13.01% of patients. The majority (93.15%) had no complications. Most patients were discharged (84.93%), with a hospital stay of less than five days in 58.22% of cases. Mortality was 4.11%. Conclusion. Chest injuries in this setting predominantly affect young males, mainly due to RTCs and violence. Most cases are mild and managed conservatively, though diagnostic and therapeutic limitations persist. Strengthening trauma systems and preventive strategies is essential.
RÉSUMÉ
Introduction. Les traumatismes thoraciques sont une cause majeure de morbidité et de mortalité liées aux traumatismes, en particulier dans les pays à revenu faible et intermédiaire (PRFI) où les ressources en matière de soins de santé sont limitées. Cependant, les données sur les schémas et les résultats des traumatismes thoraciques dans les hôpitaux régionaux du Cameroun restent rares. Cette étude visait à déterminer l'épidémiologie, les profils cliniques, la prise en charge et les résultats des patients hospitalisés pour des traumatismes thoraciques dans deux hôpitaux de niveau III de la région sud-ouest du Cameroun. Matériel et Méthode. Une étude descriptive rétrospective a été menée dans les hôpitaux régionaux de Buea et de Limbé entre 2015 et 2020. Les dossiers médicaux des patients admis pour des traumatismes thoraciques ont été examinés. Après application des critères d'inclusion et d'exclusion, 146 dossiers de patients ont été analysés. Les données démographiques, l'étiologie, les types de blessures, la prise en charge, les complications et les résultats ont été recueillis à l'aide de formulaires structurés et analysés à l'aide du logiciel SPSS version 26. Résultats. Les hommes étaient majoritaires (78,1 %), les jeunes adultes âgés de 20 à 39 ans étant les plus touchés (56,2 %). Les accidents de la route étaient la principale cause (62,3 %), principalement les accidents de moto (13,7 %), suivis des chutes (16,4 %) et des agressions, y compris les blessures par balle (11,64 %). Les blessures contondantes représentaient 59 % des cas, les contusions thoraciques (50,0 %) et les fractures des côtes (21,2 %) étant les lésions les plus courantes. Un hémothorax était présent dans 14,1 % des cas. La plupart des blessures étaient légères (AIS 1 : 63,7 % ; ISS 1-8 : 75,3 %). Plus de la moitié (56,85 %) présentaient des blessures associées, principalement au niveau de la tête et du cou. Une radiographie thoracique a été réalisée dans 69,18 % des cas, tandis que les tomodensitométries ont été rarement utilisées (2,74 %). Une analgésie a été administrée à tous les patients ; un drain thoracique a été posé chez 13,01 % d'entre eux. La majorité (93,15 %) n'a présenté aucune complication. La plupart des patients ont été autorisés à sortir (84,93 %), avec une durée d'hospitalisation inférieure à cinq jours dans 58,22 % des cas. Le taux de mortalité était de 4,11 %. Conclusion. Dans ce contexte, les traumatismes thoraciques touchent principalement les jeunes hommes, principalement en raison des accidents de la route et des violences. La plupart des cas sont bénins et pris en charge de manière conservatrice, bien que des limites diagnostiques et thérapeutiques persistent. Il est essentiel de renforcer les systèmes de prise en charge des traumatismes et les stratégies de prévention.
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Copyright (c) 2025 Ngomba Divine Martin Mokake, Boukar Ekani, Eteme Jean Axel Nomo, Tongwetape Ngwane, Nkemnguatem Nelson Atabong, Mefire Alain Chichom
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