Efficacy comparison of early and late open reduction and internal fixation for severe rib fracture combined with respiratory failure / 中华创伤杂志

ABSTRACT

Objective:To investigate the effect of timing of rib internal fixation on early curative effect of patients with severe rib fracture complicated with respiratory failure.Methods:A retrospective cohort study was conducted on clinical data of 33 patients with multiple rib fracture complicated with respiratory failure admitted to 909th Hospital of Joint Logistics Support Force (Affiliated Dongnan Hospital of Xiamen University Medical College) from January 2018 to October 2019.There were 26 males and 7 females; aged 60-87 years [(67.9±6.7)years]. The time interval from injury to open reduction and internal fixation was within 3 days in 16 patients (early operation group) and over 3 days in 17 patients (later operation group). The number of fixed ribs, operation time, duration of mechanical ventilation, length of ICU stay, chest tube indwelling time and lenghth of hospital stay were compared in the two groups. The numeric rating scale (NRS) pain score was assessed at postoperative 1, 3 and 7 days. Postoperative complications were detected as well.Results:All patients were followed up for 8-24 months [(16.5±4.3)months]. Number of fixed ribs was not statistically different between the two groups ( P>0.05). The operation time, duration of mechanical ventilation, length of ICU stay, chest tube indwelling time and length of hospital stay in early operation group [(67.3±11.2)minutes, (103.9±28.2)hours, (5.2±1.9)days, (6.4±2.8)days, (12.5±3.5)days] were shorter than those in late operation group [(108.4±18.4)minutes, (160.8±89.3)hours, (10.1±2.3)days, (9.5±2.2)days, (18.0±4.5)days] ( P<0.05 or 0.01). The NRS score was (6.6±0.6)points, (3.3±0.6)points and (2.7±0.8)points in early operation group at postoperative 1, 3 and 7 days, significantly lower than those in late operation group [(7.4±1.1)points, (4.9±1.1)points, (3.9±0.7)points] ( P<0.05 or 0.01). The total complication rate was 25.0%(4/16) in early operation group, lower than 70.6%(12/17) in late operation group ( P<0.05). Conclusion:For severe rib fracture complicated with respiratory failure, early open reduction and internal fixation can effectively reduce operation time, duration of mechanical ventilation, lenghth of ICU stay, chest tube indwelling time and lenghth of hospital stay, early relieve pain and decrease complications rate when compared with late operation.