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  Background and Objective: At present, trauma is one of the most important causes of mortality in human population all over the world. Thoracic trauma is one of the most important medical and socio-economical burdens in different areas of Iran. Thoracic trauma has been observed in 50% of patients admitted to the emergency departments. Considering the high prevalence of thoracic trauma, this study was conducted to evaluate the epidemiological status of thoracic trauma prevalence in Emergency department of Ali Ibn Abitaleb teaching Hospital in Rafsanjan city.

  Materials and Methods: This�descriptive study was performed on 250 traumatized patients (207 males and 43 females) who referred to the emergency department of Ali Ibn Abitaleb Hospital of Rafsanjan due to chest trauma during six months, started from January 1999 (all patients were followed till final diagnosis). The data statistically analyzed by using Chi square test in this prospective study.

  Results: Among 250 patients, 207 individuals were male (82.80 %) and 43 were female (17.20 %). The most frequent incidence rate of chest trauma was observed in the age group of 11 to 20 years (26.4%) and the average age was 34 years. The most frequent cause of trauma was traffic accidents (52.40%) and the least frequent cause of trauma was gun shot (0.80%). The most frequent clinical symptom observed in the patients was chest pain (95.20%). The most prevalent clinical sign was chest tenderness, (96.40%). The most frequent associated trauma observed with thoracic injuries was head trauma (44.4 %).

  Conclusion: Considering the high freqency of traffic accidents as the leading cause of chest trauma, a basic reform in traffic and transportation should be considered. Furthermore, due to high frequency of traumas caused by cold weapons in the age group of 21-30 years, youngsters aducation can be suggested

  Key words: Thoracic trauma, Head trauma, Traffic accidents, Rafsanjan

  [1] - Assistant Professor of Dept. of Surgery, University of Medical Sciences, Rafsanjan

  (Corresponding author) Tel: (0391) 5234003, Fax: (0391) 5225209, E-mail: majidrez@yahoo.co.uk

  [2] - Assistant Professor of Dept. of Neurology, University of Medical Sciences, Rafsanjan

  [3] - Student of Faculty of Medicine , University of Medical Sciences, Rafsanjan