J Korean Soc Traumatol.  2017 Dec;30(4):179-185. 10.20408/jti.2017.30.4.179.

Prognosis of Pulmonary Function in Patients with Multiple Rib Fractures

• Park HB
• Hyun SY
• Kim JJ
• Jang YS

• KMID: 2405282
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.20408/jti.2017.30.4.179

Abstract

PURPOSE
Rib fracture is the most common complication of blunt thoracic trauma. We investigated the effect of rib fracture on pulmonary function in the conservatively treated patients.
METHODS
From January 2000 to February 2017, we reviewed the records of 72 patients with rib fracture and pulmonary function tests were performed. According to the number of rib fractures, patients were classified into two groups: less than six fractured ribs (group A) and more than six fractured ribs (group B). The groups were compared concerning demographics, underlying diseases, associated thoracic injuries, surgery, mechanical ventilator times, days spent in the intensive care unit and pulmonary function test.
RESULTS
There were no statistically significant differences in the demographic data between the two groups. Mean hospitalization was 13.5 days in group A and 27.0 days in group B (p < 0.001). There was no statistically significant difference between the two groups in the pulmonary function test.
CONCLUSIONS
We conclude that pulmonary function is restored by conservative treatment in patients with rib fractures even if the number of rib fractures increases. In patients with multiple rib fractures, studies comparing open rib fixation and conservative treatment of long term pulmonary function are required.

Keyword

Rib fractures; Pulmonary function tests; Thoracic injuries; Outcome

MeSH Terms

Demography
Hospitalization
Humans
Intensive Care Units
Prognosis*
Respiratory Function Tests
Rib Fractures*
Ribs*
Thoracic Injuries
Ventilators, Mechanical