Patients with thoracic trauma require rapid decision making and early intervention, especially during natural disasters when the influx of patients complicates hospitalization decisions. Identifying the characteristics of these patients can improve triage protocols, optimize resource allocation, and enhance outcomes in future disaster scenarios.

The aim of this study was to determine the characteristics of hospitalized patients after the February 2023 earthquakes in Türkiye and to contribute to Disaster Medicine.

This retrospective, cross-sectional study was conducted in a university hospital’s emergency department (ED) located in the earthquake area. All patients over 18 years old with earthquake-related thoracic trauma were included. Demographic information, mechanisms of injury, associated injuries, laboratory results, and treatments were recorded. Patients were divided into two groups: discharged and hospitalized.

The study included 179 patients, with a median age of 45 years. Overall, 80.4% were trapped under debris, and 43.8% were rescued on the first day. Hospitalization rates were higher in patients trapped under debris and those rescued after the first day. Blunt thoracic trauma was observed in 95.5% of patients. One hundred and three patients (57.5%) underwent Extended Focused Assessment with Sonography in Trauma (E-FAST) in the ED, 152 patients (84.9%) underwent x-ray, and 129 patients (72.1%) underwent computed tomography (CT). Imaging studies revealed rib fractures in 49.7% and lung parenchymal injuries in 48.6% of patients. Patients with lung parenchymal injury had higher hospitalizations rates. Hospitalized patients had higher levels of white blood cells (WBCs), potassium, blood urea nitrogen (BUN), creatinine, creatinine kinase (CK), creatine kinase-myocardial band (CKMB), and troponin I.

This study highlights the prevalence of blunt thoracic trauma and the importance of imaging in the assessment of thoracic injuries following earthquakes. While few patients needed surgery, many required hospitalizations and had abnormal laboratory results, emphasizing the need for careful monitoring for complications like muscle damage and infection.

The objectives of this study are to determine the prevalence, risk factors, and time to onset of delayed hemothorax and pneumothorax in adults who experienced a minor blunt thoracic trauma.

A prospective cohort of 450 consecutive patients was recruited. Eligible patients had to be over 16 years of age, consulted within 72 hours for a trauma, and available for outpatient follow-up at 2, 7, and 14 days posttrauma. The clinical outcome investigated was the presence of delayed pneumothorax or hemothorax on the follow-up chest x-ray.

Delayed hemothorax occurred in 11.8% (95% CI 8.8–14.8), and delayed pneumothorax occurred in 0.9% (95% CI 0.2–2.3) of participants. During the 14-day follow-up period, 87.0% of these delayed complications developed in the first week. In the multivariate analysis, the only statistically significant risk factor for delayed complications was the location of fractures on the x-ray of the hemithorax. The adjusted odds ratio was 1.52 (95% CI 0.62–3.73) for the lower ribs (tenth to twelfth rib), 3.11 (95% CI 1.60–6.08) for the midline ribs (sixth to ninth rib), and 5.05 (95% CI 1.80–14.19) for the upper ribs (third to fifth rib) versus patients with no fractures.

The presence of at least one rib fracture between the third and ninth rib on the x-ray of the hemithorax is a significant risk factor for delayed hemothorax and pneumothorax.