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Prehosp Emerg Care 2019 Mar 20:1-11. Epub 2019 Mar 20.

b Harbor-UCLA Medical Center and the Los Angeles Biomedical Research Institute at Harbor-UCLA , 1000 W Carson Street , Torrance, CA.

Objective: We evaluated the performance of individual trauma triage criteria using data from a regional trauma registry.

Methods: Los Angeles County (LAC) paramedics use triage criteria adapted from the 2011 Center for Disease Control (CDC) guidelines to triage injured patients to Trauma Centers (TCs). TCs report outcomes to a LAC EMS registry. Read More

J Feline Med Surg 2019 Feb 26:1098612X19831835. Epub 2019 Feb 26.

Soft Tissue Surgery Service, Department of Clinical Science and Services, Royal Veterinary College, London, UK.

Objectives: The aim of this study was to describe a series of cats suffering from thoracic dog bite wounds, in order to detail the clinical, radiographic and surgical findings, and evaluate outcomes and factors associated with mortality.

Methods: The medical records of cats with thoracic dog bite wounds presenting to a single institution between 2005 and 2015 were retrospectively reviewed. Data relating to clinical presentation, wound depth and management, radiographic findings, surgical findings and mortality were collected. Read More

BMJ Case Rep 2019 Feb 9;12(2). Epub 2019 Feb 9.

Department of General Surgery, Ngwelezana Hospital, Empangeni, KwaZulu Natal, South Africa.

An elderly female with multiple comorbidities was involved in a pedestrian vehicle accident and sustained blunt chest trauma, arriving at a resource-poor hospital in rural South Africa. She had multiple bilateral rib fractures with a unilateral flail segment that caused her to develop respiratory failure. She was intubated and sent to the intensive care unit (ICU) for ventilation. Read More

Am J Surg 2019 Jan 23. Epub 2019 Jan 23.

Section of Trauma and Acute Care Surgery, Department of Surgery, Albany Medical Center, Albany, NY, USA. Electronic address:

Background: Although associated with significant morbidity, there is no universally accepted management of rib fractures. We hypothesized that variations in risk stratification may influence this.

Methods: A questionnaire was developed to assess providers' perceived risk factors and injury stratification of rib fracture patients at a Level 1 trauma center. Read More

J Ayub Med Coll Abbottabad 2018 Oct-Dec;30(4):576-584

Department of Thoracic Surgery, CMH Lahore, Pakistan.

Background: 10-15 % of trauma patient has chest injuries. There is a paradigm shift in the last two decades towards rib fixation from conservative management. Rib fixation results in immediate pain reduction in patients. Read More

ASAIO J 2019 Jan 3. Epub 2019 Jan 3.

From the Division of Critical Care Medicine, Department of Medicine, Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center, Shreveport, Louisiana.

Flail chest is an uncommon consequence of traumatic injury. Medical management includes mechanical ventilation for internal pneumatic stabilization. Control of respiratory drive is necessary to avoid paradoxical movement and impairment of recovery. Read More

In Vivo 2019 Jan-Feb;33(1):133-139

Trauma Department, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany

Background: Flail chest is considered as one of the most severe forms of blunt thoracic trauma. However, its actual influence on post-traumatic morbidity and mortality is debatable.

Materials And Methods: A retrospective cohort analysis was performed of multiply injured patients (injury severity score ≥16) at a level I trauma center. Read More

J Orthop Trauma 2019 Jan;33(1):9-14

Department of Trauma and Orthopaedics, Aintree University Hospital, Liverpool, United Kingdom.

Objectives: To investigate and assess the effectiveness of surgical fixation of rib fractures in complex traumatic chest injuries compared with traditional nonoperative management.

Design: Retrospective observational comparative study.

Setting: Level 1 Major Trauma Centre in North West England. Read More

Intest Res 2019 Jan 14;17(1):155-156. Epub 2018 Dec 14.

Department of Gastroenterology, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China.

Injury 2019 Jan 16;50(1):101-108. Epub 2018 Oct 16.

Department of Radiology, Institute of Clinical Sciences, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg and Sahlgrenska University Hospital, Bruna stråket 11B, 413 45, Gothenburg, Sweden. Electronic address:

Aim: To estimate and compare lung volumes from pre- and post-operative computed tomography (CT) images and correlate findings with post-operative lung function tests in trauma patients with flail chest undergoing stabilizing surgery.

Patients And Methods: Pre- and post-operative CT images of the thorax were used to estimate lung volumes in 37 patients who had undergone rib plate fixation at least 6 months before inclusion for flail chest due to blunt thoracic trauma. Computed tomography lung volumes were estimated from airway distal to each lung hilum by outlining air-filled lung tissue either manually in images of 5 mm slice thickness or automatically in images of 0. Read More

Clin Pract Cases Emerg Med 2018 Nov 17;2(4):355-356. Epub 2018 Oct 17.

UC Irvine School of Medicine, Department of Emergency Medicine, Orange, California.

Injury 2019 Jan 3;50(1):119-124. Epub 2018 Nov 3.

Department of Epidemiology & Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Australia.

Introduction: Multiple rib fractures have been shown to reduce quality of life both in the short and long term. Treatment of rib fractures with operative fixation reduces ventilator requirements, intensive care unit stay, and pulmonary complications in flail chest patients but has not been shown to improve quality of life in comparative studies to date. We therefore wanted to analyse a large cohort of multiple fractured rib trauma patients to see if rib fixation improved their quality of life. Read More

J Orthop Trauma 2019 Jan;33(1):15-22

Department of Orthopaedic Trauma and Sports Medicine, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, United Kingdom.

Objectives: To evaluate the outcomes including early mortality after surgical rib fixation using a locking plate system as part of a newly introduced chest trauma pathway.

Design: Prospective cohort study with retrospective case-controlled matching with a minimum of 1-year follow-up.

Setting: Regional Level 1 trauma center. Read More

Eur J Trauma Emerg Surg 2018 Oct 19. Epub 2018 Oct 19.

Department of Surgery, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, The Netherlands.

Background: Over the years, a trend has evolved towards operative treatment of flail chest although evidence is limited. Furthermore, little is known about operative treatment for patients with multiple rib fractures without a flail chest. The aim of this study was to compare rib fixation based on a clinical treatment algorithm with nonoperative treatment for both patients with a flail chest or multiple rib fractures. Read More

Front Med (Lausanne) 2018 4;5:280. Epub 2018 Oct 4.

Medical Faculty of Banja Luka, University Clinical Center of Republic of Srpska, University Banja Luka, Banjaluka, Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Flail chest, often defined as the fracture of three or more ribs in two or more places, represents the most severe form of rib fractures. Conservative treatment, consisting of respiratory assistance with endotracheal intubation and mechanical ventilation (internal pneumatic stabilization) and pain control, are the current treatments of choice in the majority of patients with multiple rib fractures. However, the use of mechanical ventilation may create complications. Read More

Air Med J 2018 Sep 5;37(5):272-276. Epub 2018 Sep 5.

Mil Med Res 2018 10 4;5(1):34. Epub 2018 Oct 4.

Department of Trauma Surgery, Daping Hospital, Army Medical University, Chongqing, 400042, China.

The emergency treatment of thoracic injuries varies of general conditions and modern warfare. However, there are no unified battlefield treatment guidelines for thoracic injuries in the Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA). An expert consensus has been reached based on the epidemiology of thoracic injuries and the concept of battlefield treatment combined with the existing levels of military medical care in modern warfare. Read More

J Orthop Trauma 2019 Jan;33(1):3-8

Department of Surgery, Division of Trauma and Critical Care Services, Delray Medical Center, Delray Beach, FL.

Objectives: To compare outcomes in patients with rib fractures (RFX) who underwent surgical stabilization of rib fractures (SSRF) to those treated nonoperatively.

Design: Retrospective cohort study.

Setting: Two Level 1 Trauma Centers. Read More

Eur J Trauma Emerg Surg 2018 Oct 1. Epub 2018 Oct 1.

Department of Surgery, University Medical Center Utrecht, PO Box 85500, 3508 GA, Utrecht, The Netherlands.

Purpose: The aim of this systematic review and meta-analysis was to present current evidence on rib fixation and to compare effect estimates obtained from randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and observational studies.

Methods: MEDLINE, Embase, CENTRAL, and CINAHL were searched on June 16th 2017 for both RCTs and observational studies comparing rib fixation versus nonoperative treatment. The MINORS criteria were used to assess study quality. Read More

Am Surg 2018 Sep;84(9):1462-1465

Rib fractures represent up to 55 per cent of thoracic blunt traumatic injuries and lead to significant mortality and morbidity. The aim of this study is to determine whether not only number but also the location of rib fractures can be used to risk stratify patients. This is a retrospective study of all blunt trauma patients who presented with rib fractures from January 1, 2013 to April 1, 2015 and underwent chest CT. Read More

Am Surg 2018 Sep;84(9):1406-1409

Flail chest is used as one of the indicators for rib fixation, which is being performed more frequently. Radiologic and clinical flail chest are not clearly differentiated in published studies and the relationship between radiologic flail chest (RFC) and outcomes are not clearly established. Our study was designed to evaluate the relationship of RFC to outcomes in patients with severe blunt chest injury. Read More

Acta Chir Orthop Traumatol Cech 2018 ;85(3):226-230

Traumatologické centrum Fakultní nemocnice Královské Vinohrady, Praha.

PURPOSE OF THE STUDY Based on the experience with using the Judet plates in stabilization of rib fractures an innovated Judet plate was constructed in cooperation with the Development Department of Medin company. During the preclinical part of the project, following the construction of the new Judet plate, a surgical technique was elaborated. Subsequently, the clinical application of rib osteosynthesis with innovated plates was commenced. Read More

Eur J Trauma Emerg Surg 2018 Sep 18. Epub 2018 Sep 18.

Department of Surgery, University Medical Center Utrecht, PO Box 85500, 3508 GA, Utrecht, The Netherlands.

Purpose: Rib fixation for flail chest has been shown to improve in-hospital outcome, but little is known about treatment for multiple rib fractures and long-term outcome is scarce. The aim of this study was to describe the safety, long-term quality of life, and implant-related irritation after rib fixation for flail chest and multiple rib fractures.

Methods: All adult patients with blunt thoracic trauma who underwent rib fixation for flail chest or multiple rib fractures between January 2010 and December 2016 in our level 1 trauma facility were retrospectively included. Read More

Trauma Case Rep 2018 Aug 21;16:12-15. Epub 2018 Jul 21.

Department of Emergency General Surgery, Trauma and Critical Care Surgery, University of Nebraska Medical Center, 983280 Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE 68198-3280, United States of America.

Rib fractures are a serious problem in thoracic trauma resulting in high morbidity and mortality. Surgical stabilization in the management of rib fractures is gaining more popularity and recognition as outcomes continue to show positive results, however, there is still hesitancy among the trauma community to recommend this intervention. Although there still remains questions as to which patients to provide surgical stabilization to in the non-flail rib fracture patient population, surgical stabilization of rib fractures have been shown to be extremely beneficial in those patients with flail chest and should be strongly considered in this patient population, especially if they require ventilatory support. Read More

Eur J Trauma Emerg Surg 2018 Aug 21. Epub 2018 Aug 21.

Division of Trauma and Critical Care Services, Delray Medical Center, 5352 Linton Boulevard, Delray Beach, FL, 33484, USA.

Purpose: Surgical Stabilization (SSRF) is gaining popularity as an alternative to non-operative management (NOM) of patients with rib fractures, however, there are no established guidelines for patients' quantifiable evaluation and for SSRF recommendation. Known rib scoring systems include: Rib Fracture Score (RFS), Chest Wall Trauma Score (CWTS), Chest Trauma Score (CTS) and RibScore (RS), but are underutilized. The purpose was to provide values of scoring systems in SSRF and NOM patients and correlate them with treatment assignment. Read More

Int J Surg Case Rep 2018 1;50:72-74. Epub 2018 Aug 1.

Anesthesiology Unit, Antalya Gazipaşa State Hospital, Cumhuriyet District, Hastane Street, 07900, Gazipaşa, Antalya, Turkey.

Introduction: Multiple rib fractures exposes serious respiratory disorders and they are generally treated with non surgical methods. Nevertheless, in cases of long term pain despite medical treatment, parenchymal injury, hematoma, posture disorder and flail chest, surgery is needed. Flail chest, as the most critical form of blunt chest trauma, can disturb the hemodynamic of patient significantly and threaten life. Read More

Ann Thorac Surg 2019 Feb 3;107(2):e119-e120. Epub 2018 Aug 3.

Department of Thoracic Surgery, Shanghai Jiao Tong University Affiliated Sixth People's Hospital, Shanghai, China. Electronic address:

Studies have confirmed that, for severe flail chest or sternal fractures and even multiple rib fractures, surgical treatment can effectively reduce hospital stay and relieve chest wall pain. However, fixation of multiple costal cartilage fractures in such a small area is a challenge if an internal fixator is simply placed directly on the sternum. This case report shares a method of simultaneous fixation of multiple costal cartilage and sternal fractures through a small incision, and it is also appropriate for multiple costal cartilage fractures without sternal fracture. Read More

Unfallchirurg 2018 Aug;121(8):605-614

Klinik für Unfallchirurgie und Orthopädie, BG Klinikum Unfallkrankenhaus Berlin gGmbH, Warener Str. 7, 12683, Berlin, Deutschland.

Background: Fractures of the bony chest wall are common injuries. They affect almost every second severely injured person and are gaining more and more importance even after low-energy accidents, especially among older people. Complications mainly occur due to respiratory insufficiency, secondary pulmonary complications and remaining deformities with a functional disorder of the chest wall. Read More

Semin Cardiothorac Vasc Anesth 2018 Jul 30:1089253218792056. Epub 2018 Jul 30.

1 Imam Abdulrahman Bin Faisal University, King Fahd Hospital, Dammam, Saudi Arabia.

We describe the novel combined use of a fiberoptic bronchoscope and a Fuji Uniblocker placed outside the endotracheal tube (ETT) for removal of a retained BioGlue polymerized tissue fragment (2.8 × 0.8 cm) from the right main bronchus (RMB). Read More

Unfallchirurg 2018 Aug;121(8):615-623

Unfallchirurgische Abteilung, Universitätsklinikum Erlangen, Krankenhausstr. 12, 91054, Erlangen, Deutschland.

Background: Flail chest wall injuries (FCI) are common in younger patients due to high-speed trauma and in older patients due to low-energy trauma or falls from a low height. They show a high incidence of concomitant injuries and are therefore associated with high morbidity and mortality. If there is also an ipsilateral clavicular fracture (CF), the outcome is significantly poorer. Read More

Ned Tijdschr Geneeskd 2018 Jun 7;162. Epub 2018 Jun 7.

Haaglanden Medisch Centrum (locatie Westeinde), afd. Traumachirurgie, Den Haag.

Background: Rib fractures are a common complication caused by chest compressions during resuscitation. Flail chest may occur as a consequence, leading to respiratory failure.

Case Description: We present two cases in which surgical rib fixation was performed to treat flail chest after resuscitation. Read More

J Thorac Dis 2018 Jun;10(Suppl 16):S1855-S1863

Department of Thoracic Surgery, University of Perugia medical School, Santa Maria della Misericordia Hospital, Perugia, Italy.

Background: Tumors of the chest wall have a large spectrum of well-assessed indications for resection. However, whether a reconstruction is required or not is not always clear. Complications after chest wall resection and reconstruction (CWRR) are described in literature and potentially severe. Read More

J Thorac Dis 2018 Jun;10(Suppl 16):S1850-S1854

Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences (DIMEC), Alma Mater Studiorum, Sant' Orsola Malpighi Hospital, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy.

Background: In some patients with complex Superior Sulcus tumors, a combination of surgical accesses may be required. For patients with very large tumors which invade the first ribs anteriorly and without subclavian vessels involvement, we developed a "double-step" technique to facilitate resection and reduce surgical trauma.

Methods: The technique was performed on five patients with a bulky non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), four of whom had a Superior Sulcus tumor. Read More

Trauma Surg Acute Care Open 2018 20;3(1):e000183. Epub 2018 Jun 20.

Department of Surgery, CHI Health Creighton University Medical Center Bergan Mercy, Omaha, Nebraska, USA.

A 53-year-old man was admitted to our trauma center after sustaining thoracoabdominal injuries, secondary to a rear-end motor vehicle collision. As he stepped out of his vehicle, he was struck by a tractor trailer at 55 mph. The following were the initial vital signs on his arrival: heart rate 140 beats/min, blood pressure 142/80 mm Hg, respiratory rate 28 breaths/min, temperature 36. Read More

Int J Surg Case Rep 2018 27;49:78-80. Epub 2018 Jun 27.

Department of Acute Critical Care Medicine, Shizuoka Hospital, Juntendo University, Japan. Electronic address:

Introduction: Pneumoperitoneum (PP), or air within the abdominal cavity, is frequently a harbinger of serious abdominal pathology and often represents visceral perforation. We herein report a case of combined massive intraperitoneal free air, pneumothorax and pneumomediastinum but emergency laparotomy was negative.

Presentation Of Case: A sixty-seven-year-old man was found unconscious on a road after being hit by a car. Read More

J Vis Surg 2018 14;4:103. Epub 2018 May 14.

Department of Thoracic Surgery, John Wayne Cancer Institute, Santa Monica, CA, USA.

We report an elderly patient with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), Alzheimer's disease and early dementia who presented with multiple displaced rib fractures of left ribs 4 through 9 with flail segments of ribs 4 through 8 and an associated traumatic pneumatocele from rib puncture of the left upper lobe. The decision to treat this patient operatively was based on the presence of flail chest, the patient's age, baseline co-morbidities and limited physiological reserve. Surgical rib fixation is traditionally performed with a thoracotomy incision and open exposure for extra-thoracic rib fixation, however, this patient underwent chest wall stabilization using an extra-thoracic video-assisted thoracic surgery (VATS) technique. Read More

World J Surg 2018 12;42(12):3918-3926

Division of Thoracic Surgery, Department of Surgery, Cantonal Hospital, Loëstrasse 170, 7000, Graubünden, Switzerland.

Background: Conservative treatment of even severe thoracic trauma including flail chest was traditionally the standard of care. Recently, we reported possible benefits of surgical chest wall stabilization in accordance with other groups. The aim of this study was to critically review our indications and results of internal fixation of rib fractures in the long-term course. Read More

World Neurosurg 2018 Oct 26;118:e161-e165. Epub 2018 Jun 26.

Spinal Unit, James Cook University Hospital, Middlesbrough TS43BW, United Kingdom.

Background: The benefits of early surgical decompression and stabilisation (within 24 hours of injury) for patients with acute traumatic spinal cord injury (SCI) is unclear. The study objective was to investigate the effects of early (<24 hours of injury) versus late (>24 hours of injury) decompressive and stabilisation surgery for traumatic cervical SCI in patients with concomitant chest injuries.

Methods: This was a retrospective study including adults aged 16 years or over with traumatic cervical SCI, Glasgow Coma Scale score >13, and concomitant chest injuries (e. Read More

Injury 2018 Jun;49 Suppl 1:S39-S43

Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, University of Arizona Phoenix, Phoenix, Arizona; Banner University Medical Centre, Phoenix, Arizona, USA; The CORE Institute, Phoenix, Arizona, USA. Electronic address:

Unstable chest wall injuries can result from multiple rib fractures or a flail chest, and are associated with high rates of morbidity and mortality. Traditionally such injuries have been treated non-operatively, with mechanical ventilation when required, and pain management. Surgical treatment of these fractures is technically possible, and studies suggest improved outcomes, such as lower time on mechanical ventilation and length of time in the intensive care unit, compared to non-operative treatment. Read More

World J Surg 2018 Dec;42(12):3927-3931

Division of Trauma and Critical Care, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA.

Introduction: Flail chest is considered a highly morbid condition with reported mortality ranging from 10 to 20%. It is often associated with other severe injuries, which may complicate management and interpretation of outcomes. The physiologic impact and prognosis of isolated flail chest injury is poorly defined. Read More

Ann R Coll Surg Engl 2018 Sep 18;100(7):520-528. Epub 2018 Jun 18.

Royal London Hospital, Barts Health NHS Trust , London , UK.

Introduction This study presents an extensive retrospective database of patients with polytrauma following train-related injuries and highlights the key lessons learnt in this rare clinical presentation. Materials and methods We retrospectively collected data from 127 patients who presented to Royal London Hospital after sustaining train related trauma. We analysed demographics, accident report data, aetiologies and clinical management interventions. Read More

Vet Comp Orthop Traumatol 2018 Jul 11;31(4):239-245. Epub 2018 Jun 11.

Department of Clinical Sciences, Auburn University College of Veterinary Medicine, Auburn, Alabama, United States.

Objectives:  To characterize the clinical features among dogs sustaining rib fractures and to determine if age, type and severity of injury, entry blood lactate, trauma score and rib fracture score were associated with outcome.

Methods:  A retrospective study was performed to include dogs that were presented with rib fractures. Risk factors evaluation included breed, age, body weight, diagnosis, presence of a flail chest, bandage use, puncture wound presence, rib fracture number, location of the fracture along the thoracic wall, hospital stay length, body weight, other fractures, pleural effusion, pulmonary contusions, pneumothorax and occurrence of an anaesthetic event. Read More

Eur J Trauma Emerg Surg 2018 May 21. Epub 2018 May 21.

Trauma Research Unit, Department of Surgery, Erasmus MC, University Medical Center Rotterdam, P.O. Box 2040, 3000 CA, Rotterdam, The Netherlands.

Purpose: Flail chest was traditionally treated non-operatively using mechanical ventilation and pain control. In order to reduce the occurrence of ventilation-associated complications and long-term disability, operative rib fixation is becoming a proven standard therapy for these patients. However, the consequences of the surgical complications may influence success rates negatively. Read More

Clin Chest Med 2018 06;39(2):361-375

Section of Pulmonary, Critical Care, and Sleep Medicine, Yale-New Haven Hospital, Yale University School of Medicine, 20 York Street, New Haven, CT 06510, USA. Electronic address:

Chest wall disorders represent deformities and/or injuries that alter the rib cage geometry and result in pulmonary restriction, increased work of breathing, exercise limitations, and cosmotic concerns. These disorders are congenital or acquired and affect all ages. Disorders affecting the spine (kyphoscoliosis, ankylosing spondylitis), ribs (flail chest), and sternum (pectus excavatum) are discussed in this article, with emphasis on clinical presentations, pulmonary function abnormalities, diagnosis, and treatment. Read More

Clin Chest Med 2018 06;39(2):281-296

Department of Pathophysiology, University of Athens Medical School, 75 M. Asias Street, Athens 11527, Greece. Electronic address:

The chest wall consists of various structures that function in an integrated fashion to ventilate the lungs. Disorders affecting the bony structures or soft tissues of the chest wall may impose elastic loads by stiffening the chest wall and decreasing respiratory system compliance. These alterations increase the work of breathing and lead to hypoventilation and hypercapnia. Read More

Korean J Neurotrauma 2018 Apr 30;14(1):28-31. Epub 2018 Apr 30.

Department of Neurosurgery, Wonkwang University Hospital, Wonkwang University School of Medicine, Iksan, Korea.

Traumatic common carotid artery dissection (CCAD) is rare. To our knowledge, only 14 case reports have described traumatic CCAD previously. Here, we report a case of CCAD in a patient with severe trauma. Read More

Trauma Surg Acute Care Open 2017 27;2(1):e000059. Epub 2017 Apr 27.

Department of Acute Care Surgery, The Queens Medical Center, Honolulu, Hawaii, USA.

Rib fractures are among the most common traumatic injury found in ∼20% of all patients who suffer thoracic trauma. The majority of these are a result of a blunt mechanism and are often associated with other traumatic injuries. The most common associated injury is lung contusion. Read More

J Thorac Dis 2018 Apr;10(Suppl 8):S951-S962

Trauma and Surgical Critical Care, Intermountain Medical Center, Salt Lake City, Utah, USA.

Blunt trauma to the chest wall and rib fractures are remarkably frequent and are the basis of considerable morbidity and possible mortality. Surgical remedies for highly displaced rib fractures, especially in cases of flail chest, have been undertaken intermittently for more than 50 years. Rib-specific plating systems have started to be used in the last 10 years. Read More

J Orthop Trauma 2018 Aug;32(8):391-396

Delray Medical Center, Division of Trauma and Critical Care Services, Delray Beach, FL.

Objectives: First rib fractures (first RFX) have been correlated with increased morbidity and mortality. Whether this is due to the fracture of the rib itself or due to an increased number of associated injuries remains debatable.

Design: Retrospective cohort study. Read More