[Ambulatory evaluation and treatment of blunt thoracic injuries]

307 patients with chest injuries were treated in an outpatient clinic during a three month period. Ten patients developed complications such as hemothorax, pneumothorax and lung contusion, or late complications such as atelectases and pneumonia. 21 patients were hospitalized after initial evaluation. Two patients died. Pain was a symptom in 306 of the 307 patients. Other symptoms were coughing, hempoptysis, fever, nausea. Complications increased in 40 patients, with other symptoms or signs in addition to pain. These other symptoms had a 40% positive and 95% negative predictive value as regards complications. 45 out of 114 patients had a pathological chest x-ray. Positive chest x-ray had a 40% positive and 94% negative predictive value as regards complications. In four patients (1.3%) complicating injuries were not identified initially. Five of 24 patients (21%) were hospitalized unnecessarily. Chest x-ray should be performed in patients with additional symptoms and signs. Patients with no signs in addition to chest wall tenderness can be observed at home.