Two years after opening the Dakar Trauma Center has received 179 cases
of blunt chest trauma without prehospital treatment. Road accidents w
ere the leading cause. The initial mortality was 29 patients (16.20%)
and 150 patients arrived alive and were treated. The initial mortality
was primarily due to the associated extrathoracic injuries mainly hem
orragic with hemoperitoneum in 44.82% and brain hemorrage in 24.14% of
cases. Secondly, it was due to the thoracic injuries with 41.37% of a
nterior flail chest and massive hemothorax in 65,51% of cases. Among t
he 150 patients treated, 42% had extrathoracic injuries, mainly head t
rauma. 56% were admitted to intensive care units with 39 chest drainag
es and 6 thoracotomies were performed The mortality in this group was
about 11.33%. The very high initial mortality could be reduced by the
organisation of prehospital treatment to take better care of patients
involved in road accidents.