Efficacy evaluation of open reduction and internal fixation in the treatment of multiple rib fractures at different timing: a Meta-analysis / 中华创伤杂志

Objective:To evaluate the effect of early and late open reduction and internal fixation on multiple rib fractures.Methods:The related literatures of early and late open reduction and internal fixation of multiple rib fractures were searched in PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Library, Web of Science, China National Knowledge Infrastructure, WanFang database, VIP database and China Biology Medicine database. The retrieved literatures were screened according to the inclusion criteria and exclusion criteria. The quality of the literature was strictly evaluated and Meta analysis was carried out by using Stata 15.0 software. The open reduction and internal fixation within 72 hours after injury (early operation group) and more than 72 hours after injury (late operation group) were compared in the incidence of pulmonary complications, chest pain improvement rate, duration of postoperative ventilator-assisted ventilation, postoperative chest X-ray improvement time, postoperative bed rest time, duration of postoperative chest tube retention, length of hospitalization, operation time and mortality rate.Results:A total of 11 studies with 712 patients were included. There were 360 patients in early operation group and 352 patients in late operation group. The two groups showed significant differences in the incidence of pulmonary complications ( OR=0.25, 95% CI 0.16-0.37, P<0.01), chest pain improvement rate ( OR=6.15, 95% CI 1.63-23.27, P<0.01), duration of postoperative ventilator-assisted ventilation ( SMD=-0.97, 95% CI -1.70--0.24, P<0.01), postoperative chest X-ray improvement time ( SMD=-15.91, 95% CI -18.42--13.41, P<0.01), postoperative bed rest time ( SMD=-11.07, 95% CI -12.31--9.84, P<0.01), duration of post-operative chest tube retention ( SMD=-0.98, 95% CI -1.77--0.20, P<0.05) and length of hospitalization ( SMD=-0.96, 95% CI -1.26--0.66, P<0.01). The operation time ( SMD=-2.44, 95% CI -4.89-0.02, P>0.05) and mortality rate ( OR=0.24, 95% CI 0.04-1.51, P>0.05) were not statistically different between the two groups. Conclusion:Early open reduction and internal fixation in the treatment of multiple rib fractures can reduce pulmonary complications and chest pain and shorten postoperative ventilator-assisted ventilation time, postoperative chest X-ray improvement time, postoperative bed rest time, duration of postoperative chest tube retention and hospital stay, but cannot shorten operation time or reduce mortality.

An innovative technique of chest wall stabilization and reconstruction in traumatic flail chest: The figure-of-eight suture with polypropylene mesh and musculofascial flap / 中华创伤杂志(英文版)

Surgical stabilization of the flail chest is challenging and has no established guidelines. Chest wall integrity and stability are the main factors that ensure the protection of intrathoracic organs and an adequate respiratory function. Here, we report a novel chest wall reconstruction technique in a 45-year-old man with a traumatic left flail chest and open pneumothorax diagnosed both clinically and radiographically. Rib approximation and chest wall reconstruction was done using intercostal figure-of-eight suture and polypropylene mesh with vascularized musculofascial flap. The patient improved gradually and was discharged after three weeks of total hospital stay. He returned to regular working after a month with no evidence of respiratory distress or paradoxical chest movement. Follow-up visit at one year revealed no lung hernia or paradoxical chest movement. This is a novel, feasible and cost-effective modification of chest wall reconstruction that can be adopted for thoracic wall repair in case of open flail chest, which needs emergency surgical interventions even in resource constraint settings.

Research progress in pain control and respiratory management in patients with flail chest / 中华创伤杂志

Flail chest is a severe chest trauma that is commonly associated with lung contusion, resulting in acute respiratory distress syndrome and respiratory failure, which brings challenges in clinical management. It has become a clinical consensus that surgical treatment of flail chest can rapidly restore thoracic stability, eliminate paradoxical breathing, and maintain stability of respiratory and circulatory functions. However, non-surgical interventions continue to be crucial in further improving the prognosis of patients with flail chest, such as pain management and respiratory management. In this study, the authors review the research progress in pain control and respiratory management during comprehensive treatment of patients with flail chest for better understanding of pain management and lung injury care, which may provide references for clinical treatment and further improvement of clinical prognosis and quality of life for patients with flail chest.

Efficacy comparison of internal fixation of ribs with complete thoracoscopy and thoracotomy for flail chest / 中华创伤杂志

Objective:To compare effect of internal fixation of ribs assisted by complete thoracoscopy and thoracotomy for flail chest.Methods:A retrospective cohort study was used to analyze the clinical data of 86 patients with flail chest treated at No.2 Hospital of Nanping City and 900th Hospital of Joint Logistics Support Force between January 2019 and December 2020, including 58 males and 28 females; aged 25-69 years [(42.9±9.5)years]. A total of 45 patients underwent internal fixation of ribs assisted by complete thoracoscopy (thoracoscopy group), and 41 patients by thoracotomy (thoracotomy group). The operation time, number of fixed ribs, intraoperative blood loss, ventilation time, postoperative length of hospital stay, hemodynamic indicators [partial pressure of oxygen (PaO 2), partial pressure of carbon dioxide (PaCO 2), oxygenation index (PaO 2/FiO 2)] before surgery and at 1 day after surgery, respiratory function [forced vital capacity (FVC), forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1), maximal voluntary ventilation (MVV)] at 1, 3, 6 and 12 months after surgery and postoperative complications were compared between the two groups. Results:All patients were followed up for 12-18 months [(14.1±1.9)months]. Thoracoscopy group showed prolonged operation time [(139.5±36.4)minutes vs. (114.8±32.5)minutes], reduced intraoperative blood loss [(124.6±42.4)ml vs. (198.6±62.6)ml] as well as shortened ventilation time [(4.0±1.1)days vs. (6.7±1.6)days] and postoperative length of hospital stay [(14.9±2.4)days vs. (17.9±3.7)days] when compared with thoracotomy group (all P<0.01). There was no statistical significance in the number of fixed ribs between the two groups ( P>0.05). There were no statistical differences in PaO 2, PaCO 2 or PaO 2/FiO 2 between the two groups before surgery (all P>0.05). At day 1 after surgery, the PaO 2 and PaO 2/FiO 2 in thoracoscopy group were (86.2±5.4)mmHg and 321.4±36.1, higher than (80.1±6.2)mmHg and 286.0±29.3 in thoracotomy group (all P<0.01); the PaCO 2 was (37.4±2.4)mmHg in thoracoscopy group, lower than (40.0±3.1)mmHg in thoracotomy group ( P<0.01). At 1 month, 3 months, 6 months and 12 months after surgery, the FVC was (75.5±10.9)%, (84.5±10.5)%, (93.1±12.8)% and (102.6±17.5)% in thoracoscopy group, higher than (69.2±9.9)%, (78.3±8.9)%, (86.2±10.4)% and (92.4±14.8)% in thoracotomy group; the FEV1 was (76.9±9.3)%, (88.4±12.9)%, (92.4±13.9)% and (98.5±10.6)% in thoracoscopy group, higher than (72.9±8.5)%, (82.8±11.4)%, (86.4±12.7)% and (93.5±11.9)% in thoracotomy group; the MVV was (78.3±13.4)L/min, (87.5±13.5)L/min, (94.6±14.7)L/min and (100.1±11.9)L/min in thoracoscopy group, higher than (72.5±11.6)L/min, (80.5±12.7)L/min, (86.5±13.5)L/min and (92.8±10.3)L/min in thoracotomy group (all P<0.05). There were no thoracic deformities in the two groups after surgery. There was no statistical significance in incision infection rate between the two groups ( P>0.05). The incidence rate of pulmonary infection, atelectasis and pleural effusion was 11.1% (5/45), 6.7% (3/45) and 11.1% (5/45) in thoracoscopy group, lower than 29.3% (12/41), 24.4% (10/41) and 31.7% (13/41) in thoracotomy group (all P<0.05). Conclusion:Although internal fixation of ribs with complete thoracoscopy has longer surgical time than thoracotomy in the treatment of flail chest, it can decrease intraoperative blood loss, ventilation time and length of hospital stay and is more conducive to improving the respiratory function and reducing complication rate.

Progresses in clinical treatment of multiple rib fractures and flail chest / 中国胸心血管外科临床杂志

@#The incidence of rib fracture in patients with chest trauma is about 70%. Simple rib fractures do not need special treatment. Multiple rib fractures and flail chest are critical cases of blunt trauma, which often cause serious clinical consequences and need to be treated cautiously. Nowadays, there is a controversy about the diagnosis and treatment of multiple rib fractures and flail chest. In the past, most of the patients were treated by non-operative treatment, and only less than 1% of the patients with flail chest underwent surgery. In recent years, studies have confirmed that surgical reduction and internal fixation can shorten the hospital stay, and reduce pain and cost for patients with flail chest, but there is still a lack of relevant clinical consensus and guidelines for diagnosis and treatment, which leads to great differences in clinical diagnosis and treatment plans. This article reviewed the treatment, surgical indications and surgical timing of multiple rib fractures and flail chest.

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.

Tórax inestable en paciente pediátrico: reporte de un caso / Flail chest in pediatric patient: case report

El tórax inestable se define por fractura de 3 o más costillas adyacentes, en 2 o más sitios, con movimiento paradojal del tórax afectado. Se presenta en el 2-4 % de los traumas de tórax contusos, con una mortalidad del 10-15 %.El tratamiento se realiza de forma conservadora, mediante analgesia y el uso de ventilación con presión positiva o, quirúrgicamente, mediante osteosíntesis de las fracturas costales.Se presenta el caso de una niña de 9 años con diagnóstico de traumatismo cerrado de tórax y tórax inestable. En la tomografía computada, se evidenciaron fracturas costales de 2da a 7maizquierdas, arcos medios y anteriores. Por inadecuado manejo del dolor, se colocó asistencia ventilatoria mecánica. A las 72 horas, se decidió la resolución quirúrgica mediante osteosíntesis de las costillas 3a-7a. La paciente evolucionó favorablemente. El manejo quirúrgico permitió reducir los días de ventilación mecánica y de internación.

Flail chest is defined by fracture of 3 or more adjacent ribs, at 2 or more sites, with paradoxical movement of the affected chest. It occurs in 2 to 4 % of blunt chest trauma, with a mortality of 10 to 15 %.Treatment is conservative, using analgesia and positive pressure ventilation, or surgical osteosynthesis of rib fractures.We present the case of a 9-year-old girl with blunt chest trauma and flail chest. Computed tomography showed rib fractures from 2nd to 7th left ribs, in middle and anterior arches. Due to inadequate pain management, it was placed in mechanical ventilation. After 72 hours the surgical resolution was decided, osteosynthesis of the 3rd to 7th ribs was performed. The patient evolved favorably. The surgical management allowed reducing days of mechanical ventilation and days of hospitalization.

Clinical Application and Mechanical Analysis of the Treatment of Multiple Rib Fractures and Flail Chest Using Three-wings Rib Plate / 中国医疗器械杂志

This research evaluated the clinical efficacy of three-wings rib plate in the treatment of multiple rib fractures and flail chest with mechanical analysis and clinical verification. The model of rib and three-wings rib plate was reconstructed. The contact simulation with pretension stress was applied to the plate's fixation, and it was found that the bearable stress of the rib fractures after fixation increased from the result which indicated a good fixation efficacy of the plate. Clinical data of 53 cases of rib fractures and flail chest treated with three-wings rib plate in Shanghai Pudong Hospital of Fudan University were retrospectively analyzed. After the operation, the pain of the patients was relieved. Postoperative CT reconstruction of the chest showed good restoration of the rib fractures, which verified the clinical efficacy of three-wings rib plate. The three-wings rib plate showed a high value in clinical use for treatment of rib fractures.

Fraturas de esterno em uma unidade de tratamento intensivo especializada em trauma / Sternal fractures in a level III trauma intensive care unit

RESUMO Objetivo: avaliar epidemiologia, características anatômicas, manejo e prognóstico de pacientes críticos com fraturas de esterno. Métodos: análise retrospectiva de pacientes internados em unidade de terapia intensiva (UTI) de emergências cirúrgicas e trauma de um centro de trauma Tipo III em São Paulo, Brasil. Resultados: foram admitidos 1552 pacientes traumatizados no período de janeiro de 2012 a abril de 2016. Desses, 439 apresentavam trauma torácico e 13 apresentavam fratura de esterno, configurando 0,9% das admissões de trauma e 3% dos traumas torácicos. Desses pacientes, três apresentavam tórax instável e dois foram submetidos à conduta cirúrgica para fixação da fratura. A mortalidade de pacientes com fratura de esterno foi de 29% (três pacientes). Em um dos óbitos pôde-se atribuir a fratura do esterno como contribuinte principal para o desfecho. Conclusão: a fratura de esterno foi diagnosticada em 0,9% dos pacientes críticos vítimas de trauma em UTI especializada. Somente 15% dos pacientes necessitaram de conduta cirúrgica específica na fase aguda e a mortalidade foi decorrente das outras lesões na maior parte dos casos.

ABSTRACT Objective: to evaluate epidemiology, anatomical characteristics, management, and prognosis of critical patients with sternum fractures. Methods: retrospective analysis of patients admitted to intensive care unit (ICU) of a Level III trauma center in Sao Paulo, Brazil. Results: 1552 trauma patients were admitted from January 2012 to April 2016. A total of 439 patients had thoracic trauma and among these, 13 patients had sternum fracture, making up 0.9% of all trauma admissions and 3% of all thoracic trauma cases. Three of these 13 patients had unstable chest, two underwent surgical management for fracture fixation, and three died (mortality was of 29%). In one of the deaths, sternum fracture was assessed as the main contributor to the outcome. Conclusion: sternum fracture was diagnosed in 0.9% of critical trauma patients in a specialized ICU. Only 15% of patients required specific surgical management in the acute phase. In most cases, mortality was due to other injuries.

Reconstrucción temprana en el tórax inestable con sistema de osteosíntesis torácico: Reporte de caso / Early unstable chest reconstruction with thoracic osteosynthesis: A case report

Se presenta el caso de un paciente varón con tórax inestable. Esta lesión es una entidad poco común que puede ser originada por múltiples traumatismos de alto impacto. El diagnóstico se estableció por signos clínicos y estudios de imágenes. El paciente recibió tratamiento quirúrgico con un sistema de osteosíntesis costal (StraCos®); se discuten los resultados obtenidos y sugerencias para casos de este tipo. (AU)

We present the case of a male patient with unstable chest, which is a rare entity that may be caused by high impact trauma. The diagnosis was stablished by clinical manifestations and image results. The patient received surgical treatment with a rib osteosynthesis. We discussed the results obtained and propose suggestions to manage this kind of patients. (AU)

Osteosíntesis de múltiples fracturas costales desplazadas en un paciente con tórax batiente / Osteosynthesis of multiple displaced costal fractures in a patient with flail chest

El tratamiento de las fracturas costales debe ser individualizado de acuerdo con la severidad de las lesiones y a la magnitud del trauma. El objetivo de esta investigación es presentar un caso donde se utilizaron láminas de titanio, en un paciente con fracturas múltiples de las costillas. Se reporta el caso de un paciente con múltiples fracturas costales de forma lineal y paralelas de los arcos costales con un tórax batiente, que llega al cuerpo de guardia con dolor torácico moderado y disnea. Aunque aún no existe suficiente evidencia científica a favor de los métodos de fijación costal, se realizó la fijación con láminas de titanio logrando la estabilidad de la pared, aliviando el dolor, mejorando la mecánica ventilatoria y logrando su rápida reincorporación a la sociedad(AU)

The treatment of costal fractures should be individualized according to the severity of the injuries and the magnitude of trauma. The objective of this investigation is to present a case where titanium plates were used in a patient with multiple rib fractures. We report the case of a patient with multiple rib fractures of a linear and parallel shape of the costal arches with a swinging thorax, who arrives the emergency room with moderate chest pain and dyspnea. Although there is still not enough scientific evidence that favors the costal fixation methods, the fixation with titanium plates was performed, achieving the stability of the wall, relieving pain, improving the ventilatory mechanics, and achieving the patient's quick reincorporation to the society(AU)

Establishment of flail chest in a rabbit model / 中国胸心血管外科临床杂志

@#Objective    To explore the feasibility of establishing a rabbit model of flail chest. Methods    Flail chest model was eatablished in 12 New Zealand white rabbits after anesthesia and sterile surgery. The paradoxical movement of chest wall was recorded by the biological signal acquisition system, arterial blood was collected for blood gas analysis, the vital signs were recorded by electrocardiogram (ECG) and the lung tissue was taken for the pathological analysis at the end of the experiment. The effect of flail chest on the respiratory function of experimental animals was analyzed to evaluate the feasibility of establishing flail chest model. Results    All surgeries were successful without mortality. The operation time was 41.42±7.08 min. Duration of endotracheal intubation was 79.33±12.21 min. Statistical results showed that the pH, partial pressure of arterial carbon dioxide (PaCO2) and base excess (BE) increased; while partial pressure of oxygen (PaO2) and oxygen saturation (SaO2) reduced. Pathological results showed that flail chest not intervented for a long period would lead to organic lesions. Conclusion    The rabbit model of flail chest is feasible, safe, repeatable, easy and simple to handle. The animal is easy to access which is the foundation to study the disease process, recovery procedure and the efficacy after intervention.

Comparison of surgical and mechanical ventilation for flail chest / 局解手术学杂志

Objective To compare the efficacy of surgical treatment(ST) and mechanical ventilation treatment(MVT) for flail chest.Methods From March 2013 to May 2017,81 patients with flail chest who underwent ST(28 cases) and MVT(53 cases) were enrolled in ICU.The relevant indicators of efficacy were compared including mechanical ventilation (MV) time,bed rest time,oxygen administration time,catheterization time,antibiotic use time,drug analgesia,drug analgesia patients,proportion of stop/postoperative sputum alone,ICU treatment time,hospital stay,mortality,readmission within two months and long-term pulmonary function after discharge.Results The MV time,bed time,oxygen time,antibiotic use time,ICU treatment time and hospitalization time of MVT were longer than those of ST group,the differences were significant(P ＜ 0.05).MVT had more analgesic times,more analgesic cases,smaller proportion of offline/postoperative sputum along and less hospitalization fees compared with ST group,the differences were significant(P ＜0.05).There was no significant difference in the main indexes of pulmonary function between two groups in 3 months after discharge.Conclusion ST and MVT respectively has advantages and disadvantages for flail chest.There is no significant difference in long-term pulmonary function of ST and MVT.While MVT has less trauma and lower cost.The appropriate treatment could be selected according to the clinical situation.

The efficacy and safety of conservative treatment versus surgery for traumatic flail chest in elderly patients / 中华老年医学杂志

Objective To compare the clinical safety and efficacy of conservative treatment and surgery for traumatic flail chest in elderly patients.Methods From January 2013 to January 2017,68 elderly patients with traumatic flail chest in the Department of Thoracic Surgery,Beijing Lu He Hospital were enrolled.Based on different treatment methods,patients were divided into a conservative treatment group (n =34) and a surgery group (n =34),and the clinical safety and efficacy were compared between the two different treatment groups.Results Patients in the surgery group were associated with significantly decreased mechanical ventilation time,and days stayed in ICU and hospital,compared with the conservative treatment group (all P＜0.05).However,incidences of atelectasis and/or pneumonia,duration of pain and oxygen therapy,total thoracic drainage volume and extubation time were similar between the two groups (all P＞0.05).Rates of delayed or nonunion (2.9％ vs.17.6％) and thoracic deformity (0.0％ vs.11.8％) were significantly lower in the surgery group than those in the conservative treatment group (x2=3.981 and 4.250,both P＜0.05).Conclusions Surgery can safely and effectively reduce incidences of complications in elderly patients with traumatic flail chest disease and shorten the time of hospitalization.Therefore,the short-and longterm effects are promising and warrant further investigation.

Clinical effect of non-operative versus operative treatment for flail chest / 中华创伤杂志

Objective To compare the clinical effect of non-operative and operative treatment for flail chest.Methods A retrospective case control study was made on 60 cases of flail chest treated from March 2013 to April 2016.There were 42 males and 18 females,at the age range of 36-62 years [(49.8 ± 10.3)years].According to the treatment methods,the patients were divided into non-operation group (28 cases) and operation group (32 cases).Chest CT,pulmonary function and 36-item short-form health survey(SF-36) were measured in all patients 3 months and 6 months after injury.Differences in atelectasis,chest wall deformity,delayed fracture healing,pulmonary function and life quality were analyzed between the two groups.Results Compared to non-operative group at postoperative 3 months,rates of atelectasis,chest wall deformity and delayed fracture healing in operation group were obviously lower,while indices of pulmonary function pulmonary function including forced vital capacity (FVC),forced expiratory volume in one second(FEV1),one second rate (FEV1/FVC) and maximal voluntary ventilation measured value (MVV) in operation group wcre higher,and SF-36 parameters including physical functioning (PF),role-physical (RP),bodily pain (BP),general health (GH),vitality (VT),social functioning (SF) and mental health (MH) in operation group were better (all P ＜ 0.05).As to the data measured 6 months after injury,there were no significant differences between the two groups,except that the rate of chest wall deformity in non-operative group (6 cases,39％) was higher than that in operation group (11 cases,19％) (P ＜ 0.05).As to c hest CT,indices of pulmonary function and SF-36 parameters (P ＜ 0.05),there were no significant differences within operation group at postoperative 3 months and 6 months (P ＞ 0.05).Non-operation group showed better results in rate of atelectasis,rate of delayed fracture healing,indices of pulmonary function and SF-36 parameters measured 6 months after injury than the detections at postoperative 3 months (P ＜ 0.05),without difference in rate of chest wall deformity (P ＞ 0.05).Conclusions Surgical treatment of flail chest can accelerate fracture healing,reduce rate of chest wall deformity and improve life quality of patients early compared to non-operative treatment.Although there is no obvious difference in life quality of patients between operative and non-operative treatment 6 months after injury,but the chest wall deformity remains significantly different.

Meta-analysis of open reduction internal fixation and non-operative treatment of multiple rib fractures / 中华创伤杂志

Objective To compare the efficacy between open reduction internal fixation and nonoperative treatment of multiple rib fractures.Methods Pubmed,Embase,Chinese National Knowledge Infrastructure database (CNKI),Chinese Biological Medical Literature database (CBM),Wanfang database and VIP database were searched for relevant studies comparing the effect of open reduction internal fixation and non-operative treatment of multiple rib fractures during 1990 and 2016.RevMan 5.3 software was used for the meta-analysis to compare differences of the two treatments concerning hospital stay,total ICU stay,duration of mechanical ventilation,proportion of pneumonia and atelectasis and pulmonary function.Results Eleven studies containing 799 patients met the inclusion criteria,including 431 patients in internal fixation group and 368 patients in non-operative group.Two groups had significant differences in hospital stay (95％ CI-11.00--3.34,P ＜-0.05),total ICU stay (95％ CI -4.48--1.29,P ＜ 0.05),duration of mechanical ventilation (95％ CI-7.52--1.54,P ＜ 0.05),proportion of pneumonia (95 ％ CI 0.19-0.42,P ＜ 0.05),proportion of atelectasis (95 ％ CI 0.24-0.57,P ＜ 0.05) and total lung capacity (95 ％ CI 1.57-1.97,P ＜ 0.05),forced vital capacity (FVC) (95 ％CI 0.98-1.27,P ＜ 0.05) and forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1) (95％ CI 0.68-0.95,P ＜ 0.05).Conclusion Open reduction internal fixation of multiple rib fractures can significantly improve rehabilitation rate,reduce incidence of pulmonary complications dnring hospitalization,and facilitate recovery of lung function.

The natural history of flail chest injuries / 中华创伤杂志(英文版)

<p><b>PURPOSE</b>Flail chest (FC) injuries represent a significant burden on trauma services because of its high morbidity and mortality. Current gold standard conservative management strategies for FC, are now being challenged by renewed interest in surgical rib fixation. This retrospective epidemiological study sets out to evaluate FC patients, and quantify the natural history of this injury by studying the injury patterns, epidemiology and mortality of patients sustaining FC injuries admitted to a major trauma centre (MTC).</p><p><b>METHODS</b>A retrospective cohort analysis has been conducted at an MTC with full trauma service. All patients (age > 16 years) sustaining FC were included. Patient demographics, injury characteristics and inpatient stay information were extracted.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Two hundred and ninety-three patients were identified, with a mean injury severity score (ISS) of 28.9 (range 9-75), average age of 56.1 years (range of 16-100), and a male predominance (78%). Road traffic accidents accounted for 45% (n = 132) of injuries, whilst 44% were fall or jump from height (n = 129). Associated lung contusion was present in 133 patients (45%) while 76% of patients were found to have 5 or more ribs involved in the flail segment (n = 223) with 96% (n = 281) having a unilateral FC. Inpatient treatment was required 19.9 days (range 0-150 days) with 59% of patients (n = 173) requiring intensive care unit (ICU) level care for 8.4 days (range 1-63) with 61.8% requiring mechanical ventilation (n = 107) for 10.5 days (range 1-54), and 7.8% underwent rib fixation with rib plates (n = 23). The mortality rate was found to be 14% (n = 42). A non-significant trend towards improved outcomes in the conservative group was found when compared with the fixation group; ventilation days (6.94 vs 10.06, p = 0.18) intensive treatment unit (ITU) length of stay (LOS) (12.56 vs 15.53, p = 0.28) and hospital LOS (32.62 vs 35.24, p = 0.69).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>This study has successfully described the natural history of flail chest injuries, and has found a nonsignificant trend towards better outcomes with conservative management. With the cohort and management challenges now defined, work on outcome improvement can be targeted. In addition the comparability of results to other studies makes collaboration with other MTCs a realistic proposal.</p>

Fijación de tórax inestable con placas y tornillos bioabsorbibles. Presentación de serie de casos / Thoracic inestability fixed with bioabsorbable screws and plates

Resumen: Antecedentes: El tórax inestable se trata con ventilación mecánica o inhaloterapia y analgesia. Poco se ha publicado sobre el uso de material bioabsorbible y su evolución en la fijación de tórax inestable. Métodos: Estudio descriptivo de pacientes con tórax inestable sometidos a fijación con placas y tornillos bioabsorbibles en un período comprendido de Febrero de 2009 a Diciembre de 2011. Resultados: Presentamos 18 casos con edades entre 33 y 74 años (media de 53), tres con tórax inestable bilateral; la fijación costal se realizó entre 1 y 21 días del accidente (media de 1.5). Se inició deambulación al día siguiente en 14 casos; la estancia postoperatoria fue de cuatro días (rango de 3 a 14). La frecuencia cardíaca de los pacientes previa a la cirugía era de 90 por minuto (rango 82 a 100) y bajó a 84 después de la fijación (rango 82 a 92); la frecuencia respiratoria preoperatoria era 26 por minuto (rango 22 a 28) y bajó a 22 por minuto (rango 20 a 26) en el postoperatorio. Conclusiones: El uso de material bioabsorbible para osteosíntesis costal no tiene efectos secundarios atribuibles al material en el corto plazo.

Abstract: Background: Flail chest is managed with mechanical ventilation or inhaloteraphy and analgesia. Little has been published on the use of bioabsorbable material and its evolution in flail chest fixation. Methods: This is a descriptive study of patients with unstable chest undergoing fixation with bioabsorbable plates and screws in a period from February 2009 to December 2011. Results: We report 18 cases, aged 33-74 years (mean 53), three with bilateral involvement; rib fixation was performed between 1-21 days of the accident (mean 1.5). They started walking the next day in 14 cases; postoperative stay was four days (range 3-14). The heart rate of patients prior to surgery was 90 per minute (range 82-100) and lowered to 84 after fixation (range 82-92), preoperative respiratory rate was 26 per minute (range 22-28) and below 22 per minute (range 20 to 26) in postoperative period. Conclusions: The use of bioabsorbable material for osteosynthesis of costal fractures did not show side effects in our period of study.

Comparison on clinical effects of operative versus non-operative treatment for traumatic flail chest combined with sternal fracture / 中华创伤杂志

Objective To compare the efficacy of internal fixation with non-operative treatment of traumatic flail chest combined with sternal fracture.Methods A retrospective review was made on 102 patients with traumatic flail chest combined with sternal fracture treated from January 2007 to January 2014.There were 71 patients in operation group and 31 patients in non-operation group.Operation group was allocated to pure titanium rib plating (Group Ⅰ,22 cases),porous titanium screw fixation (Group Ⅱ,20 cases),and nickel-titanium memory alloy sternal rib plating (Group Ⅲ,29 cases).Rib traction was performed in non-operation group.Clinical results and incidence of complications were compared between the two groups.Results At 24 and 72 hours,operation group was superior over non-operation group with regard to HR [(100.4 ± 9.5) times/min vs (105.2 ± 10.1) times/min,(92.1 ± 9.9) times/min vs (102.1 ± 9.2) times/min],MAP [(97.7 ± 14.5) mmHg vs (91.0 ± 13.3) mmHg,(112.5 ± 15.2) mmHg vs (93.1 ± 13.8)mmHg] and CVP [(7.8 ±3.7)cmH2O vs (9.4 ±3.8)cmH2O,(6.2 ±2.9)cmH2O vs (9.1 ±3.2) cmH2 O] (P ＜ 0.05).Duration in ICU [(5.1 ± 0.8) days vs (9.3 ± 1.1) days],ventilation time [(4.5 ±1.0)days vs (8.2 ± 1.4)days],hospitalization time [(14.6 ±3.5)days vs (23.3 ±4.4)days] and incidence of complications were significantly lower in operation group than in non-operation group (P ＜ 0.05).Two months after discharge,tidal volume (VT) [(0.52 ±0.04)L vs (0.40 ±0.03)L],inspiratory capacity (IC)[(1.99 ±0.45)L vs (1.22 ±±0.33)L],forced vital capacity (FVC) [(3.52 ±0.51)L vs (2.44 ±0.42)L],total lung capacity (TLC) [(5.41 ±0.82)L vs (3.72 ±0.56)L] and forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1) [(2.80 ± 0.43) L vs (1.95 ± 0.50) L] showed significantly better results in operation group than in non-operation group (P ＜ 0.05).Operation time,intraoperative bleeding and daily drainage volume were (38.8 ±9.2)min,(43.5 ±7.6)ml and (10.9 ± 1.1)ml in Group Ⅱ versus (62.5 ± 10.1)min,(100.0 ± 10.5) ml and (26.8 ±3.1)ml in Group Ⅰ and (49.3 ±9.6)min,(61.4 ±8.3)min and (19.8 ±1.6)ml in Group Ⅲ (P ＜ 0.01).Conclusion For traumatic flail chest combined with sternal fracture,the internal fixation should be done as early as possible so as to reduce incidence of complications.Relatively,porous titanium screw fixation has better clinical outcome.

The role of chest backplate in treating multiple rib fractures in patients with focal abnormal breathing: analysis of 36 cases / 中国医师进修杂志

Objective To evaluate the effect of chest backplate in treating multiple rib fractures in patients with focal abnormal breathing.Methods The clinical data of 36 patients with multiple rib fractures and focal abnormal breathing who were treated by Chrisofix chest backplate were analyzed.Results Thirtyfour patients were cured by chest backplate and other conservative treatments,and 2 patients underwent rib internal fixation surgery.The numeric rating scales scores before and after the application of the chest backplate were (8.1 ± 0.7) scores and (5.2 ± 0.5) scores respectively(P ＜ 0.01).Seven patients had skin blisters forming around the shield,which were cured by liquid extraction with a syringe and gauze covered with povidone iodine.No patients stopped treatment because of allergy.Conclusions Chest backplate is an effective,easy and inexpensive method for patient with multiple rib fractures and focal abnormal breathing who doesn't need exploratory thoracotomy.It is worthy to spread in clinical treatment.