Evaluation of Thoracic Trauma Severity Score (TTSS) in Assessing and Predicting Severity of Chest Trauma

Abstract

Introduction: Chest trauma, which is frequently caused by road traffic accidents (RTAs), is a major public health concern worldwide. The Thoracic Trauma Severity Score (TTSS) provides a standardized method for assessing the severity of chest injuries, which aids in treatment decisions and outcome prediction. Material and Methods: This observational study aimed to determine the effectiveness of the TTSS in predicting the outcomes of chest trauma patients. The study, which conducted from September 2019 to May 2021 at the Department of Emergency Medicine, Apollo BGS Hospital in Mysore, included 65 adult patients who presented with chest injuries. Data on demographics, injury types, clinical characteristics, and outcomes has been collected and analyzed. Results: The majority of patients (70.8%) were male, with a mean age of 46.1 years. Road traffic accidents accounted for 80% of injuries. Rib fractures (95.4%) and lung contusions (75.4%) were the most common thoracic injuries observed. Patients with higher TTSS had prolonged hospital and ICU stays and increased need for mechanical ventilation. Mortality rates increased with higher TTSS, with 6.2% overall mortality. Conclusion: The TTSS proved effective in predicting outcomes of chest trauma patients, with higher scores associated with poorer outcomes. The findings highlight the value of TTSS in guiding early assessment and management strategies for chest trauma, ultimately aiding in reducing morbidity and mortality.