OBJECTIVEThe epidemic data of Wenchuan area earthquake trauma of ear, nose and throat were investigated.

METHODSAffected families and sufferers of part of disaster area in Sichuan province in 2008 were investigated with emphasis on severity, cause and treatment of otorhinolaryngologic trauma.

RESULTSTwo hundred and twenty-seven cases of otorhinolaryngologic trauma in survival crowd 3 days after earthquake were included in this study. Most of them were minor trauma or complex lesion. There were 185 cases of soft tissue wound in head and face, 13 cases of fracture of the nose, 18 cases of hemorrhage of the nose, 7 cases of fracture of the skull base, 4 cases of lacerated wound of the auricle. Diagnosis and management were carried out by medical aid post and field ambulance on different condition. The methods of treatment included debridement and suture of soft tissue wound and positioning of fracture. If there was serious injury and accompanied complex lesion, the patients should be sent to hospital after emergent treatment. Forty-six cases were treated in medical aid post, except 3 cases of complex lesion by transportation, 43 cases recovered in 5 to 10 days after treatment. One hundred and eighty-one cases were treated in field ambulance, except 3 cases with fracture of skull base by transportation. Among 31 hospitalized patients, 26 recovered and were discharged before 26th of may, 5 were still in ward because of complex lesion. Among 147 cases treated out of wards with soft tissue wound, 146 cases recovered and bone fracture in rehabilitation. 1 case of lacerated wound of auricle was infected with delayed healing. There were no complication in all cases.

CONCLUSIONSFor earthquake trauma of the ear, nose and throat, emergent management are debridement, suture and positioning of fracture. For seriously injured patient, transportation to hospital in time can decrease complications and death rate.