Korean J Thorac Cardiovasc Surg.  1997 Mar;30(3):315-321.

A Clinical Difference of the Non-penetrating Rib Fractures between the Urban and the Rural Communities

• Kim CN
• Cho EY
• Jeung HD
• Im JS
• Cho SH
• Lee JH

Abstract

A clinical analysis was performed on 326 cases of the non-penetrating rib fractures experienced in the department of thoracic and cardiovascular surgery, Chosun University Hospital and 102 cases of the non-penetrating rib fractures those has been admitted and treated in the department of thoracic and cardiovascular surgery, Jeonnam Hwasoon Jung-ang Hospital during a period from Jan. 1994 to Dec. 1995. 1. Sex ratio was 3.4:1 in urban and 3.6:1 in rural communities with male predominance. 2. Most common cause were traffic accident in both communities. 3. Hemothorax, pneumothorax and hemopneumothorax which needed thoracostomy were observed in 146 cases(44.7%) in the urban and 12 cases(11.7%) in the rural communities. 4. Left thorax was the spell site of rib fractures in both communities. 5. Rib fracture was prevalent from 3rd to 6th rib in both communities. 6. Open thoracotomy was performed in 37 cases(11.3%) in urban and 3 cases(2.9%) in rural communities. 7. Overall mortality was 4.29%(14 cases) in urban area and, 1.96%(2 cases) in rural communities, and cause of death were hypovolemic shock, brain edema, sepsis, respiratory failure, asphyxia, and cardiogenic shock.

Keyword

Rib fracture; Chest trauma

MeSH Terms

Accidents, Traffic
Asphyxia
Brain Edema
Cause of Death
Hemopneumothorax
Hemothorax
Humans
Jeollanam-do
Male
Mortality
Pneumothorax
Respiratory Insufficiency
Rib Fractures*
Ribs*
Rural Population*
Sepsis
Sex Ratio
Shock
Shock, Cardiogenic
Thoracostomy
Thoracotomy
Thorax