An analysis of 214 cases of rib fractures

Abstract

INTRODUCTION:Rib fractures are the most common type of injury associated with trauma to the thorax. In this study, we investigated whether morbidity and mortality rates increased in correlation with the number of fractured ribs.MATERIALS AND METHODS:Data from 214 patients with rib fractures who applied or were referred to our clinic between January 2007 and December 2008 were retrospectively evaluated. The patients were allocated into three groups according to the number of fractures: 1) patients with an isolated rib fracture (RF1) (n = 50, 23.4%), 2) patients with two rib fractures (RF2) (n = 53, 24.8%), and 3) patients with more than two rib fractures (RF3) (n = 111, 51.9%). The patients were evaluated and compared according to the number of rib fractures, mean age, associated chest injuries (hemothorax, pneumothorax, and/or pulmonary contusion), and co-existing injuries to other systems.FINDINGS:The mean age of the patients was 51.5 years. The distribution of associated chest injuries was 30% in group RF1, 24.6% in group RF2, and 75.6% in group RF3 (p<0.05). Co-existing injuries to other systems were 24% in group RF1, 23.2% in group RF2, and 52.6% in group RF3 (p<0.05). Two patients (4%) in group RF1, 2 patients (3.8%) in group RF2, and 5 patients (4.5%) in group RF3 (total n = 9; 4.2%) died.CONCLUSION:Patients with any number of rib fractures should be carefully screened for co-existing injuries in other body systems and hospitalized to receive proper treatment.

Factors Affecting Mortality in Blunt Thoracic Trauma

“…[1,4,11] Gerek gelişmiş ve gerekse gelişmekte olan ülke-lerde, trafik kazaları künt toraks travmalarının en sık sebebidir. [1,3,4,6,[12][13][14] Bu çalışmada da, gerek araç içi-dışı ve gerekse motosiklet kazaları dikkate alındığında, olguların %63'ünde trafik kazaları etyolojik sebep olarak tespit edilmiştir. Bazı çalışmalarda travma sebebi olarak darbın %28 gibi yüksek oranda bildirilmesi, bu oranların toplumlara göre değişebileceğini göstermek-tedir.…”

“…[1] Travma neticesi oluşan torasik yaralanmalar, travmanın oluşum mekanizmalarına göre değişim göster-mektedir. [3,13,15] Çalışmamızda en çok görülen toraks prognoz tahmini ve tedavi şekillendirilmesinde sistolik kan basıncı ve solunum özellikleri kullanılabilir.…”

Risk factors for prolonged mechanical ventilation in patients with severe multiple injuries and blunt chest trauma: a single center retrospective case–control study

“…In multiple trauma patients, lung contusion, flail chest, and severe head injury are possible significant risk factors for mechanical ventilatory support 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14. However, to our knowledge, there have been no established risk factors for prolonged mechanical ventilation (PMV) in patients with blunt chest trauma.…”

Clinical Significance of Conventional Rib Series in Patients with Minor Thoracic Trauma

“…The clinical significance of the radiographic proof of a rib fracture in the case of minor thorax trauma is a common point of discussion between radiologists and referring physicians. Isolated fractures of the ribs without associated complications, even with an obvious dislocation of the fracture are treated symptomatically [18]. Our results show that the decision whether to treat or not seems to be independent from the results of the RS.…”

“…Probably some therapeutic procedures and further diagnostic workup were not documented in the charts. For example respiratory care exercises/physiotherapy to avoid pneumonias are a common supportive therapy [18], but on the other hand the risk of developing these complication seems to be low [22]. 70 of the 157 patients with proven fractures in the RS did not receive an additional CR.…”