Operative versus nonoperative treatment of multiple simple rib fractures: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Rib fractures are common injuries in both trauma- and non-trauma centers and occur in up to 10-35% of patients after sustaining blunt chest trauma [1,2]. Rib fractures are associated with pulmonary morbidity such as pneumonia in 17-77% of patients and a mortality rate around 10%, with increased rates in the elderly and those with a higher number of rib fractures [1,3-9]. Multiple rib fractures can result in a flail chest, which is defined as fracture of three or more consecutive ribs, in two or more places, creating a unstable or flail segment [8,10].

Source: Injury - July 2, 2020 Category: Orthopaedics Authors: Mathieu M.E Wijffels, Jonne T.H. Prins, Eva J. Perpetua Alvino, Esther M.M Van Lieshout Source Type: research