ABSTRACT
Objective To compare the effects of rib internal fixation and thoracic external fixation in treatment of traumatic flail chest. Methods Eighty six cases of traumatic flail chest with multiple injuries,admitted to hospital from January 2006 to June 2009 ,were recruited into the study and divided into rib internal fixation and thoracic external fixation groups randomly. The clinical data were analyzed retrospectively. Rib internal fixations with Ti-Ni shape memory alloy embracing connector were performed in internal-fixation group(n = 45) and thoracic external fixations were performed in external-fixation group(n = 41). The outcomes were compared between the two groups. Results No patient in internal-fixation group developed chest wall deformity,while 19 patients in external-fixation group had chest wall deformity left. The mean times of hospital stay([ 15. 1 ± 1.8]d vs [22. 9 ±2. 8]d,t = - 15. 724,P ＜0. 01) ,ICU stay([5.7 ± 1.5]d vs [ 14. 4 ±2. 9]d,t =- 17.711, P ＜ 0. 01), and mechanical ventilation([ 3.9 ± 1.5 ] d vs [ 1 1.6 ± 2. 3 ] d, t = - 17. 256, P ＜ 0. 01),in internal-fixation group were significantly shorter than those in external-fixation group. The occurrence rate of respiratory complications (including pulmonary inflammation and (or) atelectasis and (or) respiratory failure)in internal-fixation group was significantly lower than those in external-fixation group(35.6% vs. 70. 7% ,x2 =10.641,P ＜ 0.01). Followed-up data of three months after discharge showed that the pulmonary function parameters, such as total lung capacity([ 89. 5 ± 3. 1 ] % vs. [ 79. 1 ± 5. 1 ] %, t = 11. 705, P ＜ 0. 01), forced vital capacity([ 80. 2 ± 2. 8 ] % vs. [ 69. 8 ± 3. 8 ] % ,t = 14. 241 ,P ＜0. 01) ,forced expiratory volume in the 1st second ([74.8 ±4.4]% vs. [71.9 ±3.6]% ,t =3.201,P ＜0.01),peak expiratory flow ([82.8 ±4.4]%vs. [79. 8 ±4. 9]% ,t =2. 885,P ＜0. 01) and forced expiratory flows at 75% of the vital capacity( [68.2 ±2. 2] % vs. [61.9 ± 2. 9 ]%, t = 11. 286; P ＜ 0. 01) were significantly higher in internal-fixation group than those in external-fixation group. Conclusion Rib internal fixation for traumatic flail chest can quickly correct chest wall deformity, stabilize thoracis and eliminate paradoxical chest wall movement. Patients accepted this treatment have a shorter therapy process during the intensive care unit and hospital stay, less pulmonary complications. They also show less long-term restrictive pulmonary functions impairment, when compared to the patients in the thoracic external fixation group. Rib internal fixation with Ti-Ni shape memory alloy embracing connector is a simple and effective therapy.