Objective: The pattern and management outcome of chest injuriespresenting to our tertiary university hospital located in a semi-urbanpopulation in the South West of Nigeria, has not been documentedpreviously. We therefore sought to identify factors that may contributeto mortality.Method: We analyzed 114 patients presenting to the Accident andEmergency Unit with chest trauma, prospectively entered into a database over a two year period.Results: Chest trauma accounted for 6% of all trauma admissionswith a male preponderance (M:F = 3.6:1). Rib fractures were the mostcommon injury (46.3%) while limb fractures were the most commonassociated injury (35.8%). Associated head injury accounted for mostdeaths (56%) in those with severe ISS. Majority of patients (51.8%)required only analgesics, while additional closed tube thoracostomydrainage was necessary (41.8%) in the others who suffered blunttrauma. Thoracotomy was indicated for only 5 (4.5%) penetratinginjuries. There is a rising trend towards penetrating gunshot injuries,with mortality increasing with age (p=0.03) and severity of associatedinjuries (ISS) (p=0.003).Conclusion: Majority of the patients required only minimal interventionwith chest drainage or analgesics, with low mortality. Increasingage and severity of injury contributed significantly to mortality. Initiationof care for chest trauma victims is still delayed in our centre.