• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.26 no.1
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• pp.64-66
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• 1993

We experienced 2 cases of surgical immobilization with Judet`s strut for flail chest with multiple rib fractures. The patients were undertaken explorative thoracotomy for unevacuated hematoma and chest wall fixation for paradoxically moving segments of ribs after initial trials of internal fixation, i.e. mechanical ventilation with endotracheal intubation. Immediately after operation, the patient`s general condition and respiratory status were improved remarkably. Mechanical ventilation and endotracheal intubtion were removed on postoperative second day without any events.

• Journal of Trauma and Injury
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• v.35 no.3
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• pp.173-180
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• 2022

Purpose: The use of surgical stabilization of rib fractures (SSRF) has steadily increased over the past decade. Recent literature suggests that a larger population may benefit from SSRF, and that the geriatric population-as the highest-risk population-may receive the greatest improvement from these interventions. We sought to determine the overall utilization of SSRF in the United States. Methods: The National Trauma Database was analyzed between 2016 and 2017. The inclusion criteria were all patients ≥65 years old with rib fractures. We further stratified these patients according to age (65-79 vs. ≥80 years old), the presence of coding for flail chest, three or more rib fractures, and intervention (surgical vs. nonoperative management). The main outcomes were surgical interventions, mortality, pneumonia, length of stay, intensive care unit length of stay, ventilator use, and tracheostomy. Results: Overall, 93,638 patients were identified. SSRF was performed in 992 patients. Patients who underwent SSRF had improved mortality in the 65 to 79 age group, regardless of the number of ribs fractured. We identified 92,637 patients in the age group of 65 to 79 years old who did not undergo SSRF. This represents an additional 20,000 patients annually who may benefit from SSRF. Conclusions: By conservative standards and the well-established Eastern Association for the Surgery of Trauma clinical practice guidelines, SSRF is underutilized. Our data suggest that SSRF may be very beneficial for the geriatric population, specifically those aged 65 to 79 years with any rib fractures. We hypothesize that roughly 20,000 additional cases will meet the inclusion criteria for SSRF each year. It is therefore imperative that we train acute care surgeons in this skill set.

• Journal of Trauma and Injury
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• v.24 no.1
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• pp.12-17
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• 2011

Purpose: A rib fracture secondary to blunt thoracic trauma continues to be an important injury with significant complications. Unfortunately, there are no definite treatment guidelines for severe multiple rib fractures. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the result of early operative stabilization and to find the risk factors of surgical fixation in patients with bilateral multiple rib fractures or flail segments. Methods: From December 2005 to December 2008, the medical records of all patients who underwent operative stabilization of ribs for severe multiple rib fractures were reviewed. We investigated patients' demographics, preoperative comorbidities, underlying lung disease, chest trauma, other associated injuries, number of surgical rib fixation, combined operations, perioperative ventilator support, and postoperative complications to find the factors affecting the mortality after surgical treatment. Results: The mean age of the 96 patients who underwent surgical stabilization for bilateral multiple rib fractures or flail segments was 56.7 years (range: 22 to 82 years), and the male-to-female ratio was 3.6:1. Among the 96 patients, 16 patients (16.7%) underwent reoperation under general or epidural anesthesia due to remaining fracture with severe displacement. The surgical mortality of severe multiple rib fractures was 8.3% (8/96), 7 of those 8 patients (87.5%) dying from acute respiratory distress syndrome or sepsis. And the other one patient expired from acute myocardial infarction. The risk factors affecting mortality were liver cirrhosis, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, concomitant severe head or abdominal injuries, perioperative ventilator care, postoperative bleeding or pneumonia, and tracheostomy. However, age, number of fractured ribs, lung parenchymal injury, pulmonary contusion and combined operations were not significantly related to mortality. Conclusion: In the present study, surgical fixation of ribs could be carried out as a first-line therapeutic option for bilateral rib fractures or flail segments without significant complications if the risk factors associated with mortality were carefully considered. Furthermore, with a view of restoring pulmonary function, as well as chest wall configuration, early operative stabilization of the ribs is more helpful than conventional treatment for patients with severe multiple rib fractures.

• Journal of Trauma and Injury
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• v.37 no.1
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• pp.48-59
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• 2024

Purpose: Research on rib fracture management has exponentially increased. Predicting fracture patterns based on the mechanism of injury (MOI) and other possible correlations may improve resource allocation and injury prevention strategies. The Chest Injury International Database (CIID) is the largest prospective repository of the operative and nonoperative management of patients with severe chest wall trauma. The purpose of this study was to determine whether the MOI is associated with the resulting rib fracture patterns. We hypothesized that specific MOIs would be associated with distinct rib fracture patterns. Methods: The CIID was queried to analyze fracture patterns based on the MOI. Patients were stratified by MOI: falls, motor vehicle collisions (MVCs), motorcycle collisions (MCCs), automobile-pedestrian collisions, and bicycle collisions. Fracture locations, associated injuries, and patient-specific variables were recorded. Heat maps were created to display the fracture incidence by rib location. Results: The study cohort consisted of 1,121 patients with a median RibScore of 2 (range, 0-3) and 9,353 fractures. The average age was 57±20 years, and 64% of patients were male. By MOI, the number of patients and fractures were as follows: falls (474 patients, 3,360 fractures), MVCs (353 patients, 3,268 fractures), MCCs (165 patients, 1,505 fractures), automobile-pedestrian collisions (70 patients, 713 fractures), and bicycle collisions (59 patients, 507 fractures). The most commonly injured rib was the sixth rib, and the most common fracture location was lateral. Statistically significant differences in the location and patterns of fractures were identified comparing each MOI, except for MCCs versus bicycle collisions. Conclusions: Different mechanisms of injury result in distinct rib fracture patterns. These different patterns should be considered in the workup and management of patients with thoracic injuries. Given these significant differences, future studies should account for both fracture location and the MOI to better define what populations benefit from surgical versus nonoperative management.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.49 no.1
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• pp.1-8
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• 2016

More than a century ago, the first scientific report was published about fracture fixation with plates. During the 1950's, open reduction and plate fixation for fractures were standardized by the founders of Arbeitsgemeinschaft $f{\ddot{u}}r$ osteosynthesefragen/Association for the Study of Internal Fixation. Since the introduction of plate fixation for fractures, several plates and screws have been developed, all with their own characteristics. To accomplice more fracture stability, it was thought the bigger the plate, the better. The counter side was a compromised blood supply of the bone, often resulting in bone necrosis and ultimately delayed or non-union. With the search and development of new materials and techniques for fracture fixation, less invasive procedures have become increasingly popular. This resulted in the minimally invasive plate osteosynthesis (MIPO) technique for fracture fixation. With the MIPO technique, procedures could be performed with smaller incisions and thus with less soft tissue damage and a better preserved blood supply. The last 5 years rib fixation has become increasingly popular, rising evidence has becomeavailable suggesting that surgical rib fixation improves outcome of patients with a flail chest or isolated rib fractures. Many surgical approaches for rib fixation have been described in the old literature, however, most of these techniques are obscure nowadays. Currently mostly large incisions with considerable surgical insult are used to stabilize rib fractures. We think that MIPO deserves a place in the surgical treatment of rib fractures. We present the aspects of diagnosis, preoperative planning and operative techniques in regard to MIPO rib fixation.

• Journal of Korean Orthopaedic Sports Medicine
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• v.7 no.1
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• pp.50-54
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• 2008

Purpose: In most cases, the main cause of chest or back pain during playing golf is rib fractures. This kind of rib fractures can be easily overlooked in plain radiographs. The purpose of this article is to clarify the value of the ultrasound in detecting rib fractures. Materials and Methods: We compared the findings of chest-X rays (anteroposterior, left or right lateral, both oblique view) with those of the ultrasound in 56 patients between the ages of 20th & 60th who were diagnosed rib fractures. Their chief complaints were chest or back pain which developed during playing golf. The results were analyzed statistically. Results: Among 56 cases of rib fractures, 34 cases were diagnosed with initial X-rays. 51 cases were diagnosed with ultrasound. The sensitivity of radiograph and ultrasound were 60.71% & 91.07%, respectively. Dignosis was ultrasound with statical significance whereas radiography did not(p=0.0004). Conclusion: It was concluded that ultrasound is a valuable tool in the diagnosis of the rib fractures which were undetected with X-rays during playing golf.

• Journal of Korean Medicine Rehabilitation
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• v.32 no.4
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• pp.47-60
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• 2022

Objectives The purpose of this study is to identify the latest research trends regarding the nonsurgical treatment of rib fractures and suggest the direction for future research. Methods We searched for papers published from January 1, 2015 to July 1, 2022 in PubMed and the China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI) based on keywords 'rib fracture'. 'Korean medicine', 'oriental medicine', 'TCM', 'moxibustion', 'acupunture', 'cupping', 'electroacupuncture', 'pharmacopuncture', 'fire needling'. Results A total of 79 studies were searched at first research. Then the studies were screening according to criteria and Finally 20 studies were selected. The oriental medical interventions analyzed in this study were fumigation method, herbal medicine, external application, acupuncture, ointment, herb fomentation, Tending Diancibo Pu far-infrared therapy. Conclusions Various oriental medical interventions such as herbal medicine, acupuncture, fumigation, herb fomentation, ointment, and physical therapy are being studied abroad for the treatment of rib fractures. It is considered that additional research related to the nonsurgical treatment for rib fractures is needed in the future in korea.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.56 no.6
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• pp.431-434
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• 2023

Background: The first 3 ribs are anatomically well-protected, shielded by the large thoracic muscles, the shoulder girdle, and the arm. A significant force is required to fracture these ribs; thus, such fractures suggest a high-energy trauma and are associated with injuries to vital organs of the thorax, such as the aorta, the heart, the lungs and the great vessels. Methods: A retrospective analysis was conducted over a 10-year period at a single hospital. The study assessed patients with fractures of the second rib, including their concurrent injuries and the overall severity of their trauma. Results: Among the 76 patients included in the study, the average age was 47.35 years, 81.5% were men, and 19.5% were women. Thirteen patients (17.1%) survived their injuries. The most common causes of injury were road traffic accidents (63%) and pedestrian injuries (22%). The patients who did not survive sustained injuries to an average of 5 additional organs, while survivors had injuries to an average of 2.07 additional organs. Left rib fractures were the most frequently observed (46%). The most serious concurrent injuries reported were to the aorta (5.26%), heart (10.52%), lung (52.36%), head (57.89%), liver (30.2%), spleen (26.31%), and kidney (17.1%). Conclusion: As indicators of serious injury to vital endothoracic organs, isolated fractures of the second rib should be considered equal to first rib fractures in clinical importance.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.57 no.2
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• pp.120-125
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• 2024

Background: This study aimed to assess the outcomes of patients with complex rib fractures undergoing operative or nonoperative management at our major trauma center. Methods: A retrospective review of all patients who were considered for surgical stabilization of rib fractures (SSRF) at a single major trauma center from May 2016 to September 2022 was performed. Results: In total, 352 patients with complex rib fractures were identified. Thirty-seven patients (11%) fulfilled the criteria for surgical management and underwent SSRF. The SSRF group had a significantly higher proportion of patients with flail chest (32 [86%] vs. 94 [27%], p<0.001) or Injury Severity Score (ISS) >15 (37 [100%] vs. 129 [41%], p<0.001). No significant differences were seen between groups for 1-year mortality. Patients who underwent SSRF within 72 hours were 6 times less likely to develop pneumonia than those in whom SSRF was delayed for over 72 hours (2 [18%] vs. 15 [58%]; odds ratio, 0.163; 95% confidence interval, 0.029-0.909; p=0.036). Prompt SSRF showed non-significant associations with shorter intensive care unit length of stay (6 days vs. 10 days, p=0.140) and duration of mechanical ventilation (5 days vs. 8 days, p=0.177). SSRF was associated with a longer hospital length of stay compared to nonoperative patients with flail chest and/or ISS >15 (19 days vs. 13 days, p=0.012), whilst SSRF within 72 hours was not. Conclusion: Surgical fixation of complex rib fractures improves outcomes in selected patient groups. Delayed surgical fixation was associated with increased rates of pneumonia and a longer hospital length of stay.

• The Korean Journal of Pain
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• v.10 no.1
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• pp.138-141
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• 1997

Rib fracture due to intense pain, may restrict patients from inadequate coughing. These conditions may produce varying degrees of complications such as atelectasis, pneumonia and arterial hypoxemia. Thoracic epidural analgesia has been used to treat pain associated multiple rib fractures because of its marked improvement in vital capacity and dynamic lung compliance. However, there are complications related to thoracic epidural analgesia which may include damage to spinal cord, perforation of dura, respiratory depression, decrease heart rate and arterial blood pressure. We experienced such a case of cardiac arrest during thoracic epidural analgesia while treating a patient for multiple rib fractures.