Alternative Regional Anesthesia for Surgical Management of Multilevel Unilateral Rib Fractures

RIB FRACTURES are a frequent occurrence in trauma victims.1 Patients with a “flail chest” pattern of injury, defined as 2 fractures per rib in 3 (or more) consecutive ribs, often struggle with hypoxemic respiratory failure related to inefficient ventilatory mechanics, inability to expectorate, underlying pulmonary contusion, and subsequent pneumonia. The operative indic ations for rib fracture repair have not been established and are considered to be an issue of debate.2

Source: Journal of Cardiothoracic and Vascular Anesthesia - January 12, 2020 Category: Anesthesiology Authors: Domenico P. Santonastaso, Annabella de Chiara, Emanuele Russo, Emiliano Gamberini, Giovanni Musetti, Alessio Cittadini, Serena Ranieri, Federico Coccolini, Paola Fugazzola, Luca Ansaloni, Vanni Agnoletti Tags: Case Report Source Type: research