Multiple Rib Fracture: analysis of 100 cases

다발성 늑골골절 치험 100례

During the period of 4 years from August 1, 1975 to August 1, 1979, authors have experienced 100 cases of multiple rib fractures by nonpenetrating injury at Department of Thoracic Surgery, Paik Foundation Hospital in Seoul, Korea. 1. The ratio of male to female patients with multiple rib fracture was 2.6:1 with male predominance and 84% of the total cases were between 20 and 50 years of age. 2. The most common cause of multiple rib fracture was traffic accident and falls accounted for the next largest group. 3. The most common site of rib fracture was 4th rib to 7th rib level on both hemithorax [52%]. 4. Associated injuries were cerebral contusion in 26%, clavicular fracture in 22%, long bone fracture in 22%, pelvic bone fracture in 10%, and scapular fracture in 8%. 5. Early complications and/or result of the multiple rib fractures were lung contusion in 23 cases, subcutaneous emphysema in 21 cases, hemothorax in 21 cases, hemopneumothorax in 6 cases, and flail chest in 12 cases. 6. The flail chests were managed by strapping the chest with adhesive plaster, external traction of flail segment with towel clip, ventilatory assistance for marginal clinical indications, and in cases of complicated with intrathoracic hemorrhage, wire fixation of flail segment through open thoraco-tomy. 7. The principles of therapy for hemothorax and/or pneumothorax were rapid reexpansion of the lungs by thoracentesis [11%] and closed thoracostomy [22%], but open thoracotomy had to be done on 3 cases because of massive bleeding or intrapleural hematoma and diaphragmatic rupture. 8. The over all mortality was 4% [4 among 100 cases] and the cause of all deaths was head injury.