RESUMEN
Background: Acute pain due to rib fractures causes significant in-hospital morbidity and impacts patients' quality of life after discharge. Intraoperative transthoracic cryoneurolysis of the intercostal nerves can improve postoperative pain; however, non-surgical patients are provided limited analgesia options. Here, we describe our experience with a bedside cryoanalgesia technique for management of acute rib fracture pain. Methods: Five patients at a single level I trauma center completed bedside intercostal nerve cryoneurolysis (INC) using a handheld cryotherapy device and ultrasound guidance. Relative pain ratings (scale 0-10/10) and maximal incentive spirometry (ISmax) volumes were taken prior to the procedure as a baseline. Patients were observed for 24 hours after procedure, with relative pain ratings and ISmax recorded at 1, 8, 16, and 24 hours after procedure. Results: Our patients were 29-88 years old and had one to five single-sided rib fractures. At baseline, they had high pre-procedure pain ratings (7-10/10) and ISmax volumes of 800-2000 mL. Many had improvements in their pain rating but little change in their ISmax at 1 hour (1-5/10 and 1000-2000 mL, respectively) and 8 hours (1-5/10 and 1250-2400 mL, respectively). ISmax volumes improved by 16 hours (1500-2400 mL) with comparable pain ratings (0-5/10). At 24 hours, pain ratings and ISmax ranged from 0 to 8/10 and from 1500 mL to 2400 mL, respectively. Each patient had improved pain control and ISmax volumes compared with their pre-procedure values. All patients reported the procedure as an asset to their recovery at discharge. Conclusions: Our study demonstrates patients with rib fractures may experience improved pain ratings and ISmax values after INC. Percutaneous INC appears to be a viable adjunct to multimodal pain control for patients with rib fractures and should be considered in patients with difficult pain control. Further studies are required to fully assess INC safety, efficacy, post-discharge outcomes, and utility in patients with altered mental status or on mechanical ventilation. Level of evidence: Level V, case series.
RESUMEN
BACKGROUND: Racial disparities in healthcare have been attributed to socioeconomic inequalities while the relative risk (RR) of traumatic injury in people of color has yet to be described. METHODS: Demographics of our patient population were compared to the population of our service area. The racial and ethnic identities of gunshot wound (GSW) and motor vehicle collision (MVC) patients were used to establish RR of traumatic injury adjusting for socioeconomic status defined by payor mix and geography. RESULTS: GSW assaults were more common in Blacks (59.1%) while self-inflicted GSWs were more common in Whites (46.2%). RR of having a GSW was 4.65 times greater (95% CI 4.03-5.37; p < 0.01) among Blacks than other populations. MVC patients were 36.8% Black, 26.6% White, and 32.6% Hispanic. Blacks had an increased risk of MVC compared to other races (RR 2.13; 95% CI 1.96-2.32; p < 0.01). The racial and ethnic identity of the patient was not a predictor of GSW or MVC mortality. CONCLUSIONS: Increased risk of GSW and MVC was not correlated with local population demographics or socioeconomic status.