OBJECTIVETo summarize the clinical features, diagnosis and treatment of chest trauma.

METHODSA retrospective analysis was conducted among 336 cases of chest trauma admitted to our hospital from January 2009 to May 2011.

RESULTSOut of all cases, 325 were cured, accounting for 96.7%; 11 died, accounting for 3.3%. Among the dead cases, one died of hemorrhagic shock, three of acute respiratory distress syndrome, three of multiple organ failure, and four of severe multiple traumas.

CONCLUSIONS(1) For patients with severe chest trauma, early emergency treatment is crucial to save life. (2) Open thoracic surgery is needed for acute cardiac tamponade, intrapulmonary vascular injuries, progressive intrathoracic bleeding, lung laceration, tracheal breakage, and diaphragmatic injury. In addition, operative timing and method should be well chosen. (3) Pulmonary contusion is one of common complications in chest trauma, for which the combination of strong anti-infection therapy and mechanical ventilation is an effective treatment strategy.