Effect of coolant spray on rib fracture pain of geriatric blunt thoracic trauma patients: a randomized controlled trial

SUMMARY OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of cryotherapy in elderly patients with rib fractures due to blunt thoracic trauma. METHODS: In this prospective randomized controlled study, geriatric patients were assigned to groups to receive either coolant spray (n=51) or placebo spray (n=50). The visual analog scale scores of all patients were recorded before starting spray application (V0), as well as at 10th (V1), 20th (V2), 30th (V3), 60th (V4), 120th (V5), and 360th (V6) minute. The mean decreases in the visual analog scale scores were calculated. RESULTS: The differences between V0 and V1, V0 and V2, V0 and V3, and V0 and V4 mean visual analog scale scores measured in the coolant spray group were found to be significantly higher (p<0.001). In V1, V2, V3, and V4 measurements, the incidence of "clinical effectiveness" in the coolant spray group was significantly higher than in the placebo group (p=0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Coolant spray therapy can be used as a component of multimodal therapy to provide adequate analgesia due to rib fractures in geriatric patients.

The Chinese consensus for surgical treatment of traumatic rib fractures 2021 (C-STTRF 2021) / 中华创伤杂志(英文版)

Rib fracture is the most common injury in chest trauma. Most of patients with rib fractures were treated conservatively, but up to 50% of patients, especially those with combined injury such as flail chest, presented chronic pain or chest wall deformities, and more than 30% had long-term disabilities, unable to retain a full-time job. In the past two decades, surgery for rib fractures has achieving good outcomes. However, in clinic, there are still some problems including inconsistency in surgical indications and quality control in medical services. Before the year of 2018, there were 3 guidelines on the management of regional traumatic rib fractures were published at home and abroad, focusing on the guidance of the overall treatment decisions and plans; another clinical guideline about the surgical treatment of rib fractures lacks recent related progress in surgical treatment of rib fractures. The Chinese Society of Traumatology, Chinese Medical Association, and the Chinese College of Trauma Surgeons, Chinese Medical Doctor Association organized experts from cardiothoracic surgery, trauma surgery, acute care surgery, orthopedics and other disciplines to participate together, following the principle of evidence-based medicine and in line with the scientific nature and practicality, formulated the Chinese consensus for surgical treatment of traumatic rib fractures (STTRF 2021). This expert consensus put forward some clear, applicable, and graded recommendations from seven aspects: preoperative imaging evaluation, surgical indications, timing of surgery, surgical methods, rib fracture sites for surgical fixation, internal fixation method and material selection, treatment of combined injuries in rib fractures, in order to provide guidance and reference for surgical treatment of traumatic rib fractures.

Manejo actualizado de las fracturas costales / Current management of rib fractures

RESUMEN Las fracturas costales son la lesión más frecuente en los traumatismos torácicos. La fijación de las fracturas ha estado dirigida clásicamente al volet costal. En los últimos años se han extendido las indi caciones a las fracturas múltiples desplazadas aun sin volet. Se consideran asimismo otras indicaciones de osteosíntesis menos frecuentes. La neumonía y contusión pulmonar graves que requieren asisten cia respiratoria mecánica son consideradas contraindicaciones para la fijación quirúrgica. La primera semana es el momento óptimo para su realización. Diversos dispositivos de fijación se han ideado; las placas de titanio son las más utilizadas. La osteosíntesis costal ofrece a los pacientes una recuperación más rápida con menor estadía hospitalaria y en cuidados críticos, así como mejor funcionalidad respi ratoria y menor dolor en el corto y largo plazo.

ABSTRACT Rib fractures are the most common injuries in chest trauma. Fracture fixation has been traditionally performed in flail chest patients. Over the past years, the indication has been extended to multiple, severely displaced non-flail pattern fractures. Other less common indications for osteosynthesis have also been considered. Severe pneumonia and lung contusion requiring mechanical ventilation are considered contraindication for surgical fixation. The optimal timing for the intervention is the first week. Several devices have been developed for fracture fixation; titanium plates are the most commonly used. Rib fixation offers patients a more rapid recovery with shorter length of hospital stay and of intensive care unit stay with improved respiratory function and pain management in the short and long term.

A Comparative Study of Chest X-ray and Chest High-resolution Computed Tomography in Blunt Trauma Chest Patients

Introduction: Computed tomography (CT) scan is an accurate tool for the detection of injuries in a trauma setting and is able to find the injuries that were occult in chest X-ray (CXR). In past years, the utility of CT scan was limited to severe trauma injuries but now is used in less severely injured trauma patients. The study aimed to compare the efficacy of CXR and chest CT scans in patients with chest trauma. Materials and Methods: The present study was conducted in the Department of Surgery of Medical Institute. For the study, we prospectively view the previous medical records of the patients who were admitted in our surgical ward for blunt chest trauma and received both CXR and high resolution CT chest scans. A total of 95 patients were included in the study. Data regarding the study were collected. Results: Out of 95 patients, 79 were males and 16 females. The mean age of the patients was 32.42 years ranging from 2 to 90 years. The most common cause for blunt trauma to the chest according to our results was a road traffic accident. We observed that CT scan is more accurate as compared to CXR in the detection of certain cases such as sternum fracture, rib fracture, scapula fracture, lung contusion, hemothorax, and pneumothorax. Conclusion: Chest CT scan is highly sensitive in the detection of thoracic injuries following blunt chest trauma. In day-to-day practice, CT scan is better in visualizing as sternum fracture, rib fracture, scapula fracture, lung contusion, hemothorax, and pneumothorax

Risk factors of failed observational treatment of traumatic hemothorax / 中华胸心血管外科杂志

Objective@#To identify the risk factors of failed observational treatment of traumatic hemothorax.@*Methods@#Clinical data of traumatic hemothorax combined with observational treatment were selected from the data of chest trauma cases admitted to the thoracic surgery department from January 2012 to December 2018. The treatment effect was analyzed, and the risk factors of failed observational treatment were analyzed by multivariate analysis.@*Results@#The total failure rate of observational treatment was 59.26%(32/54), and the details of hemothorax volume, length of stay in hospital, pneumothorax and patients with more than 3 rib fractures in the failed conservative treatment group were more than those in the successful treatment group(P<0.05). Independent risk factors of failed observational treatment were more than 3 rib fractures(OR=5.535, 95%CI: 1.065-28.754, P=0.042)and pneumothorax(OR=9.529, 95%CI: 1.988-45.580, P=0.005).@*Conclusion@#Pneumothorax and more than 3 rib fractures are the independent risk factors of failed observational treatment, and should be included in the observational treatment decision of traumatic hemothorax.

Continuous erector spinae plane block for postoperative analgesia of multiple rib fracture surgery: case report / Bloqueio do plano do eretor da espinha para analgesia pós-operatória de cirurgia de fratura de múltiplas costelas: relato de caso

Abstract Introduction: The erector spinae plane block is a newly described and effective interfascial plane block for thoracic and abdominal surgery. This case report describes a patient with multiple rib fractures undergoing ultrasound-guided continuous erector spinae plane block for analgesia. Case report: A 37-year-old male patient was taken for surgical fixation of multiple rib fractures. At the end of the surgery, using ultrasound-guided longitudinal parasagittal orientation 3 cm to the lateral aspect of the T5 spinous process and an in-plane technique, 20 mL 0.25% bupivacaine was administered between the erector spinae muscle and the transverse process, and a catheter was then inserted in the same plane. Before the end of surgery, 1 g paracetamol and 50 mg dexketoprofen were administered. Postoperative analgesia was applied with patient controlled analgesia method using 0.25% bupivacaine via the catheter. The patient's Visual Analogue Scale score at rest in the first 24 h was 0. The patient was monitored for 3 days with Visual Analogue Scale < 4, and the catheter was removed on postoperative day 4. No opioid requirement other than paracetamol and dexketoprofen occurred during this time. No postoperative complications were recorded. Discussion: The erector spinae plane block is an alternative to paravertebral, intercostal, epidural or other regional techniques. It may be a suitable technique in anesthesia and algology practice due to providing analgesia in the postoperative period with a catheter in the erector spinae plane.

Resumo Introdução: O bloqueio do plano do eretor da espinha é um bloqueio do plano interfacial recentemente descrito e eficaz para cirurgia torácica e abdominal. Neste relato descrevemos o caso de um paciente com fratura de múltiplas costelas, submetido ao bloqueio contínuo do plano do eretor da espinha guiado por ultrassom para analgesia. Relato de caso: Paciente do sexo masculino, 37 anos, encaminhado para fixação cirúrgica de fratura de múltiplas costelas. Ao final da cirurgia, usando a orientação parassagital longitudinal guiada por ultrassom 3 cm em relação à face lateral do processo espinhoso T5 e a técnica no plano, 20 ml de bupivacaína a 0,25% foram administrados entre o músculo eretor da espinha e o processo transverso, e um cateter foi então inserido no mesmo plano. Antes do final da cirurgia, 1 g de paracetamol e 50 mg de dexcetoprofeno foram administrados. A analgesia pós-operatória foi aplicada com o método de analgesia controlada pelo paciente, com bupivacaína a 0,25% via cateter. Na Escala Visual Analógica, o escore do paciente em repouso nas primeiras 24 h foi zero. O paciente foi monitorado por três dias com a Escala Visual Analógica < 4, e o cateter foi removido no quarto dia de pós-operatório. Exceto por paracetamol e dexcetoprofeno, não houve necessidade de outro agente opioide durante esse tempo. Não houve registro de complicação pós-operatória. Discussão: O bloqueio do plano do eretor da espinha é uma alternativa às técnicas paravertebrais, intercostais, epidurais ou outras técnicas regionais. Pode ser uma técnica adequada na prática de anestesia e algologia devido ao fornecimento de analgesia no período pós-operatório mediante um cateter no plano do eretor da espinha.

Efficacy and safety of MatrixRIB fixation system in the treatment of severe rib fractures / 中华老年医学杂志

Objective To investigate the efficacy and safety of MatrixRIB fixation system in the treatment of severe rib fractures.Methods A total of 131 patients with severe rib fractures undergoing open reduction and internal fixation using MatrixRIB fixation system in our department were enrolled.Data including demographics,injury characteristics,surgical procedure details and postoperative recovery were collected.The operation experiences were summarized,and complications,postoperative and follow-up data were analyzed.Results Totally 637 (637/891)rib fractures were fixed.No internal fixation disorder was found,but 1 case had displacement after internal fixation.The majority of patients were extubated immediately after surgery.The mean time of pressure-support ventilation after surgery was 47.6(7 143)hours.The chest instability and pain were improved in all patients after surgery.At 3 to 6 months after treatment,70 patients(70/102)returned to work,and 87 patients(87/89)recovered previous normal life.Conclusions MatrixRIB fixation system is easy to operate in the treatment of severe rib fractures and has good clinical outcomes with few complications.Patients' pain is significantly relieved with satisfactory rehabilitation.

Establishment of risk prediction model for pulmonary complications in elderly patients with multiple rib fractures / 上海交通大学学报（医学版）

Objective: To establish a risk prediction model for pulmonary complications in elderly patients with multiple rib fractures. Methods: A total of 150 cases of elderly patients with multiple rib fractures were analyzed retrospectively from January 2016 to December 2017 in the Department of Thoracic Surgery, Suzhou Kowloon Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine. Patients were divided into case group (n=88) and control group (n=62) according to whether pulmonary complications occurred. Univariate analysis and Logistic regression analysis were performed based on 8 factors, including gender, age, basic pulmonary disease, smoking history, the number of rib fractures, expectoration, diabetes, and the treatment time. Results: The results of univariate analysis showed that age, basic pulmonary disease, smoking history, the number of rib fractures, expectoration, diabetes, and the treatment time were associated with pulmonary complications (P<0.05). Logistic regression analysis showed that basic pulmonary disease (OR=3.338, 95% CI 2.772-11.606, P=0.003), smoking history (OR=2.407, 95% CI 1.103-5.253, P=0.027), the number of rib fractures (OR=3.321, 95% CI 1.178-9.359, P=0.023), and expectoration (OR=4.034, 95% CI 1.818-8.952, P=0.001) were the independent risk factors for pulmonary complications in elderly patients with multiple rib fractures. The area under the model ROC curve was 0.816, and the regression model was reliable. Conclusion: Basic pulmonary disease, smoking history, the number of rib fractures and expectoration are the independent risk factors for pulmonary complications in elderly patients with multiple rib fractures. More attention should be paid to these factors in order to reduce the incidence of pulmonary complications.

The utility of 3D printing for implant design for rib fracture fixation / 中华胸心血管外科杂志

Objective 3D printing has been used in the assistanceof surgical planning and the development of personal-ized prostheses.This study was to determine the feasibility of using a 3D printer for the purpose of producing personalized pros-theses for complex rib fracture fixation .Methods Using data from a high-resolution CT scan of 10 ribs of 3 cases with rib frac-ture, rib moldswere generated with computer software and fabricated with the 3D printer using the fused deposition modeling method.The 3D printing molds were used for custom-designed titanium plate.Results The average length of the 3D models of ribs is 8.45 cm.The mean time of fabricating models was 18.8 minutes and 4.6 gram polylactic acid was consuming on aver-age.The mean error of dimension of 3D models is less than 0.2 mm.Reshaping plates spends 3.3 minutes on average.Radio-logical follow-up for bothcases demonstrated successful fixation at 3 months.Conclusion These cases demonstrate the feasibili-ty of the use of 3D modeling and printing to develop personalizedplates and can ease the difficulty of complex rib fracture .

The optimal time window of MSCT examination in the occult rib fracture / 中国法医学杂志

Objective To explore MSCT optimal examination time window for patients with occult rib fracture, and provide objective evidence for forensic injury. Methods Totally 105 cases with chest trauma were retrospectively analysed. They were examined in the first week after trauma and re-examined in different time windows by MSCT. The quantities of occult rib fractures in the first examination were compared to those in re-examinations. Results The quantities of occult rib fractures at different inspection time windows were mostly different. There was no statistically significant between the quantities of rib fractures in the first week and the second week, the first week and the sixth week later, the fourth week and the fifth to sixth weeks (P>0.05). There was statistically significant between the quantities of rib fractures in the first week and the thrid to sixth weeks, the second week and the third to sixth weeks, the third week and the fourth to sixth weeks (P<0.05). Conclusion The result of the study imply that the fourth to sixth week is the optimal time window of MSCT examination in the occult rib fracture.

Efficacy analysis of open reduction internal fixation in 81 cases with rib fracture / 局解手术学杂志

Objective To investigate the effecacy of open reduction internal fixation in cases with rib fracture. Methods The pain scores,respiratory related clinical indicators change of 81 rib fractuure cases underwent open reduction internal fixation surgery were ob-served. A comparison was made between the surgical group and the non-surgical group of 37 cases on pain scores trend and hospital stay. Re-sults All operations were successfully completed and postoperative recovery was good. Postoperative pain scores and respiratory rate was sig-nificantly lower(P=0. 000),Oxygen saturation was significantly higher(P=0. 002),the proportion of expectoration difficult,dyspnea and ac-tivities inconvenience were significantly lower(P<0. 05). Pain scores of surgical group significantly decreased after surgery peak hours that was the fourth day hospitalized,but the overall decline of pain scores in non-surgical group was slow. The hospital stay between the surgical group and the non-surgical group was not significantly different(P=0. 084). Conclusion The efficacy of open reduction internal fixation is significant to rib fracture with exact surgery indications,and appropriate timing of surgery is the fourth day after admission.

The value and limitation of primary MSCT examination for rib fractures in a short interval / 实用放射学杂志

Objective To evaluate the value and limitation of primary MSCT examination for rib fractures in a short interval. Methods Seventy-two cases with rib fractures were analyzed retrospectively.All of them underwent primary MSCT examination within the three days after trauma,and MSCT examination of chest,epigastria,rib or X-ray examination of rib for 1-6 times in the following 8 weeks.41 cases underwent X-ray examination firstly before MSCT examination.The total number of rib fractures was determined according to the compositive results of every examination.Diagnosis rate of the primary MSCT and X-ray examination were compared with each other.Results Among 72 cases,404 fractures in 325 ribs were diagnosed.Primary MSCT diagnosed 305 confirmed fractures and 28 doubtful fractures,and 84 fractures were not detected with diagnosis rate of 75.5%.13 of 28 suspected fractures were ruled out by the following re-examinations.The MSCT and X-ray diagnostic rates were 72.1%、50.3%,respectively for 41 cases who underwent X-ray examination firstly.Four fractures showed by X-ray plain film were not shown by primary MSCT.Conclusion There is a certain proportion of cases diagnosed as obscure or doubtful rib fracture by the primary MSCT. Therefore,diagnosis should be closely combined with the re-examination results of MSCT and X-ray plain film,especially MSCT ex-amination between the fourth and eighth weeks after trauma.

Practical Use of Bone Scan in Patients with an Osteoporotic Vertebral Compression Fracture

Rib fractures are one of main causes of chest or flank pain when related to an osteoporotic vertebral compression fracture (OVCF). The authors investigated the incidence and risk factors of rib fracture in 284 patients with OVCF using bone scans and evaluated the feasibility as to whether bone scans could be utilized as a useful screening tool. Hot uptake lesions on ribs were found in 122 cases (43.0%). The factors analyzed were age, sex, number and locations of fractured vertebrae, BMD, and compression rates as determined using initial radiography. However, no statistical significances were found. In 16 cases (5.6%), there were concurrent multiple fractures of both the thoracic and lumbar spines not detected by single site MRI. Sixty cases (21.1%) of OVCF with the a compression rate of less than 15% could not be identified definitely by initial plain radiography, but were confirmed by bone scans. It is concluded that a bone scan has outstanding ability for the screening of rib fractures associated with OVCF. Non-adjacent multiple fractures in both thoracic and lumbar spines and fractures not identified definitely by plain radiography were detected on bone scans, which provided a means for determining management strategies and predicting prognosis.

Practical Use of Bone Scan in Patients with an Osteoporotic Vertebral Compression Fracture

Rib fractures are one of main causes of chest or flank pain when related to an osteoporotic vertebral compression fracture (OVCF). The authors investigated the incidence and risk factors of rib fracture in 284 patients with OVCF using bone scans and evaluated the feasibility as to whether bone scans could be utilized as a useful screening tool. Hot uptake lesions on ribs were found in 122 cases (43.0%). The factors analyzed were age, sex, number and locations of fractured vertebrae, BMD, and compression rates as determined using initial radiography. However, no statistical significances were found. In 16 cases (5.6%), there were concurrent multiple fractures of both the thoracic and lumbar spines not detected by single site MRI. Sixty cases (21.1%) of OVCF with the a compression rate of less than 15% could not be identified definitely by initial plain radiography, but were confirmed by bone scans. It is concluded that a bone scan has outstanding ability for the screening of rib fractures associated with OVCF. Non-adjacent multiple fractures in both thoracic and lumbar spines and fractures not identified definitely by plain radiography were detected on bone scans, which provided a means for determining management strategies and predicting prognosis.

Comparative study on biomechanical properties of 3 kinds of rib internal fixators / 医用生物力学

Objective To study and compare biomechanical properties of a newly developed magnesium AZ31B alloy intramedullary nail (AZ31B) with that of imported Poly-L-lactic acid intramedullary nail (PLLA) and pure titanium rib plate (TPRP), so as to provide scientific evidences for better internal fixation in clinical operation. Methods Forty fresh adult ribs were used and divided into 4 groups randomly. Three groups were made lateral rib fracture in midaxillary line and fixed by AZ31B, PLLA and TPRP, respectively, while the group with normal ribs was used as control. Biomechanical properties of specimens in each group were measured and tested using experimental stress analysis. Results (1) Three-point bending strength of internal fixation with AZ31B was close to that of control group (P>0.05), but significantly different to that of TPRP group and PTRP group (P0.05), and the torsional strength of both AZ31B and PTRP was superior to that of PLLA (P<0.05). Conclusions The internal fixation with AZ31B is an ideal mode for treating rib fracture since AZ31B has larger flexural strength than PLLA and TPRP, and its torsional strength was close to PTRP and normal ribs. This study provides some support for future research on biomechanical properties of AZ31B.

A Clinical Review of Geriatric Patients With Rib Fractures Seen in an Emergency Department

BACKGROUND: Almost every study of rib fractures in the elderly show associated injuries resulting in admission to thoracic or cardiovascular surgery. In Korea, no studies have compared these elderly patients with younger patients. METHODS: This study is based on patients who were diagnosed as having rib fracture at the Emergency Department of the Seoul Medical Center from March 2013 to April 2011. The medical records and radiological examinations of 192 cases were reviewed. Two groups were created-older than 65 years and younger than 64 years. Comparisons were made between the two groups including place of injury, time of injury, associated injuries, and the final result in the Emergency Department. RESULTS: The final patient sample size was 192. The elderly group had 142 patients with the average age being 48.77+/-9.70 years and 75.4% males. The young group had 50 patients with the average age at 75.90+/-7.21 years and 25% males. The most common place of injury was road (p=0.007) in the young group and home (p=0.002) in the elderly group. The most common mechanisms of injury were slipping (47.4%), traffic accidents (18.2%), falling (14.1%), and assault (9.4%). Falling was more prevalent in the young group than in the elderly group (p=0.011). Rib fractures occurred at night (p<0.001), on Saturdays, on Sundays, and in the winter in the young group and in the morning(p=0.002), on Mondays, on Fridays, and in the winter in the elderly group. Associated injuries, in descending order, were chest, limb, head, and spine. CONCLUSION: This study found that several selected factors of an injury-place, mechanism, time, and associated injuries, differ by age.

Clinical research on diagnosis of traumatic rib fractures by multislice CT VRT and DR plain film / 中国医学装备

Objective:To research the value of diagnosis of traumatic rib fractures by multislice CT VRT and DR plain film. Methods: Seventy-two cases of traumatic rib fracture patients were diagnosed by DR film and multislice CT VRT. Results:Multiple rib fractures than single, most of them occurred in the 4-10 ribs and axillary segment, 97.2%of 16-slice spiral CT three-dimensional reconstruction of patients with rib fracture diagnosis rate significantly higher than DR plain film diagnosis rate 80.3%(x2=19.15, P<0.01), DR plain film missed rib fractures are mainly located in the costal cartilage (58.1%), 16-slice spiral CT reconstruction is still found 19 other fractures and lung complications 16cases. Conclusion:16-slice CT the thin layer VRT diagnosis of rib fractures greatly improves the diagnostic accuracy.

Effectiveness of chest orthosis in early treatment of chest trauma / 中国综合临床

Objective To evaluate the clinical effect of the chest orthosis on patients with multiple rib or(and) sternal fracture in early period of closed chest trauma.Methods Patients with multiple fractured of ribs or (and) sternal fracture were divided into control group (n =16)treated with the traditional fixation methods ( thoracic girdle added with folding towels) and experimental group ( n =30 ) treated with chest orthosis between January 2009 and December 2011.Correlated parameters of these patients in the two groups,including pain,indexes of blood gas analysis,pulmonary complications and hospitalization time were evaluated.Results There were significant differences on visual analogue scale(VAS) [ (4.45 ±2.23) vs (8.15 ±2.02),t =2.921,P ＜0.01 ],blood gas analysis including PaO2 [ 88.16 ± 9.12) mm Hg vs (77.22 ± 6.24 ) mm Hg,t =2.413,P ＜0.05] andPaCO2[ (40.91 ±3.40)mm Hg vs (46.06 ±5.40)mm Hg,t =2.335,P＜0.05] between experimental group and control group.The incidence rate of pulmonary complications in experimental group was significantly lower than that in control group [ 17％ ( 5/30 ) vs 44％ ( 7/16 ),x2 =23.478,P ＜ 0.05 ].And hospitalization time in experimental group was significantly shorter compared with control group[ (7.26 ± 4.17) d vs ( 14.26 ±3.53)d,t =2.430,P ＜0.05].Conclusion The chest orthosis in early treatment of chest trauma can reduce the pain and improve the condition of patients,and it is a simple,effective and cheap method with significant clinical effect.

Clinical analysis of 778 cases of thoracic injury / 中国基层医药

Objective To summarize the clinical experience of thoracic injury.Methods Analyze 778 cases of thoracic injury,including soft tissue injury,rib fracture,hemothorax and pneumothorax,pulmonary contusion,cardiovascular injury,et al.The causes of the injury including traffic accident,injury suffered from the job and dispute,et al.Results 774 cases were cured among all the 778 cases with the recovery rate of 99.35％.There were 5 cases died with the death rate of 0.65％,including 1 case of heart rupture,1 case of large vessle rupture,2 cases of brain combining injury,1 case of spleen combining injury.Conclusion Thoracic injury arise new characteristic in recent years.The main causes of the injury are traffic accident,injury suffered form the job and dispute.Most cases may be cured by rapid treatment.The main causes of death are haemorrage shock due to cardiovascular or spleen rupture and combination of severe brain injury.

Rib internal fixation for traumatic flail chest / 中国综合临床

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.