Objective To summarize our treatment experience for patients with chest injuries in “4•20” Lushan earthquake. Methods Medical records of 17 patients with chest injuries after 2013 Lushan earthquake who were admittedto the Department of Thoracic Surgery，West China Hospital were analyzed retrospectively. The diagnosis of chest injuries was mainly confirmed by medical history，physical examination，X-ray and CT scan of the chest. Clinical characteristics and treatment outcomes were analyzed. Among the 17 patients，there were 14 men and 3 women with their age of 57.3±16.1 years. Results There were 12 patients （70.6%）with crash injury of heavy objects，4 patients （23.5%） with fall injury and 1 patient with road traffic injury. Chest injuries were skin and soft tissue contusion in 17 patients （100%），rib fracturein 15 patients （88.2%） including 1 patient with abnormal respiratory movements，pulmonary contusion in 15 patients （88.2%），hemopneumothorax in 11 patients （64.7%），sternal fracture in 1 patient （5.9%） and bilateral pneumothorax with widespread subcutaneous emphysema in 1 patient （5.9%）. Thirteen patients （76.5%） had concomitant brain，abdominal，orthopedic or nerve injuries. One patient underwent left thoracotomy，clot removal and internal fixation of rib fractures for left coagulated hemothorax and left lower lobe atelectasis. All the 17 patients received timely and effective treatment and there was noin-hospital mortality. Conclusions Mechanisms of earthquake injuries are often complex，and patients often have multipleinjuries. The main types of chest injury are rib fractures and pulmonary contusion. Tube thoracostomy is a simple andeffective treatment strategy for them. Satisfactory pain management and bronchoscopy procedure can effectively help patientswith removal of respiratory secretions and maintenance of airway patency.
ObjectiveTo evaluate prehospital treatment strategies of rescuers and first-line hospitals for thoracic trauma victims after Lushan earthquake, and provide reference for making emergency response plans, staff training, and preparedness of material and human resources for future disasters. MethodsClinical data of 365 victims in Lushan '4.20' earthquake who received treatment in West China Hospital were retrospectively analyzed. Among them, 63 victims had thoracic trauma, including 40 males (63.5%)and 23 females (36.5%)with their age of 49.08±19.10 years. There were 244 victims with orthopedic trauma, including 133 males (54.5%)and 111 females (45.4%)with their age of 41.59±22.74 years. Prehospital treatment methods (including specific treatment and general treatment)were compared between thoracic trauma victims and orthopedic trauma victims. ResultsAmong all the thoracic trauma victims, 51 victims required specific pre-hospital treatment, but only 10 (19.6%)victims actually received it. Among all the orthopedic trauma victims, 220 victims required specific prehospital treatment, but actually 162 (73.6%)victims received it. The percentages of thoracic and orthopedic victims who received specific prehospital treatment were statistically different (P < 0.01). There was no statistical difference in the percentage of victims who received general treatment between thoracic and orthopedic trauma victims (P > 0.05). ConclusionsThoracic trauma victims receive less specific prehospital treatment than orthopedic trauma victims from rescuers and first-line hospitals after Lushan earthquake. More specific prehospital treatment is needed for thoracic trauma victims in disaster rescue in the future.