Heterogeneity in Self-Reported Management of Blunt Chest Trauma: An International Cross-Sectional Survey
Year: 2026
Type: article
Study design: Observational Study
Abstract: Background: Blunt chest trauma is common, but reported management practices may differ across clinical settings. This international cross-sectional survey evaluated self-reported practice patterns in the diagnosis and management of blunt chest trauma. Methods: We distributed a self-administered web-based questionnaire to healthcare professionals involved in chest trauma care between November 2024 and August 2025. Responses were analyzed descriptively, and exploratory comparisons were performed between Italian respondents and respondents from other participating countries. Results: A total of 509 responses were included, comprising 225 Italian and 284 international respondents. Within the participating sample, differences between Italian respondents and respondents from other participating countries were observed in institutional protocol availability, diagnostic imaging choices, pain management organization, adjunctive therapies, and factors guiding rib-fracture management. Greater consistency was observed in chest tube placement and escalation of respiratory support. Conclusions: Substantial heterogeneity in self-reported blunt chest trauma management was observed among participating clinicians, particularly regarding institutional protocols, diagnostic strategies, pain management, adjunctive therapies, and rib-fracture management. Greater consistency was observed in core interventions such as chest tube placement and escalation of respiratory support. Given the voluntary sampling strategy and unequal geographic representation, these findings should be interpreted as patterns within the participating sample rather than as representative estimates of national or global practice.
Source: Journal of Clinical Medicine
DOI: 10.3390/jcm15197668
Authors: Matteo Cimino, Salvatore Notaro, Antonio M. Esquinas, Marina Attanasi, Michela Leone, Yusuf Kahya, Giulia Michela Pellegrino, Matjaž Groznik, Adel Mohamad Alansary, Abdullah Ali Al-Bishari, Jose Luis Sandoval Gutierrez, Mostafa Elshazly, Sanjay Singhal, Mohsen Sadeghi, Federico Raimondi, Emanuele Voulaz, Claudia Crimi, Marianna Porzio, Michele Umbrello, Daniele Russo, Hayato Kurihara, Giuseppe Fiorentino, Bushra Mina, Fabiano Di Marco, Giuseppe Francesco Sferrazza Papa, on behalf of the Chest Trauma Study
Institutions: Fondazione IRCCS Ca' Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Ospedale Monaldi, Universidad de Murcia, Hospital General Universitario Morales Meseguer, Instituto Murciano de Investigación Biosanitaria, University of Chieti-Pescara, Ankara University, Ljubljana University Medical Centre, Ain Shams University, Cairo University, Dr. Ram Manohar Lohia Institute of Medical Sciences, Guilan University of Medical Sciences, Masih Daneshvari Hospital, Razi Hospital, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Ospedale Papa Giovanni XXIII, Humanitas University, IRCCS Humanitas Research Hospital, University of Catania, Azienda Ospedaliero Universitaria Policlinico "G.Rodolico - San Marco", Azienda Ospedaliera Ospedale Civile di Legnano, Aziende Socio Sanitarie Territoriale Ovest Milanese, University of Naples Federico II, Northwell Health, Donald & Barbara Zucker School of Medicine at Hofstra/Northwell, University of Milan
Language: English
Subfield: Surgery
Field: Medicine
Domain: Health Sciences
Open Access status: gold
Estimated APC paid: $3,137
OpenAlex ID: W7220462641