Citation

Getz P, Mommsen P, Clausen JD, Winkelmann M. In Vivo 2019; 33(1): 133-139.

Affiliation

Trauma Department, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany winkelmann.marcel@mh-hannover.de.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2019, Dr. J.G. Delinassios)

DOI

10.21873/invivo.11449

PMID

30587613

Abstract

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. Flail chest was defined as segment fracture of at least three consecutive ribs on at least one side. Propensity score matching was performed.

RESULTS: A total of 600 patients were included, with a mean age of 44.1±19.1 years and a mean injury severity score of 31.6±10.4. Overall, 367 patients (61.2%) had a serial rib fracture. Forty-five patients (7.5%) presented with flail chest. Patients with flail chest more often had lung contusions (70 vs. 50%, p=0.04) and pneumo-/hematothorax (93 vs. 71%, p=0.005). There were no differences in post-traumatic morbidity and mortality.

CONCLUSION: Flail chest had no independent influence in addition to injury severity on post-traumatic morbidity and mortality in multiply injured patients with blunt thoracic trauma.

Copyright© 2019, International Institute of Anticancer Research (Dr. George J. Delinasios), All rights reserved.

Language: en

Keywords

Multiple injuries; acute respiratory distress syndrome; flail chest; serial rib fracture; thoracic trauma