A Prospective Observational Study on the Outcome Assessment of Conservative Management Versus Intercostal Drainage (ICD) in Blunt Chest Injury Patients With ≤3 Rib Fractures in a North Indian Tertiary Care Center

Introduction Trauma is the third most common cause of death in all age groups. One out four trauma patients die due to thoracic injury or its complications. Seventy percent traumas are blunt injury. This indicates importance chest among traumas. Quick and precise assessment bears paramount deciding life-saving definitive management. Often, initial management based on subjective by attending clinician. A scoring system that provides early identification at greatest risk for respiratory failure more likely require mechanical ventilation prolonged care, as well those with a higher mortality risk, may allow institution intervention improve outcomes. Thoracic Severity Score (TTSS) poses be tool directing modality employed. Methodology was an observational study including 112 >12 years, injury, sustaining ≤3 rib fractures, stable wall. The penetrating having flail segment, pediatric group (<12 years), polytrauma were excluded from our study. Of patients, 56 had been managed intercostal drainage (ICD), rest (56) conservatively. Result Road traffic accidents (RTA) mode both percentage one, two, three fractures 57.14%, 32.14%, 10.71%, respectively, ICD 85.71%, 7.14%, conservative (p = 0.124). mean TTSS score significantly compared single fracture 0.001*), any number < 0.01*) (significance defined value p less than 0.05 {indicated asterisk}). hospital stay lower 0.01*). SF-36 (outcome) 0.020*). cost treatment 0.001*). Conclusion In study, (as measured primary care surgeon) >7, across preferably predictive ICD, while <7 favorable can used important predict fractures.