[Lesions of the anterior chest wall-significance of additional fractures of the spine]

Sternal fractures in blunt trauma patients

PURPOSE

Sternal fractures (SF) are commonly associated with other injuries and their incidence is on the rise. The aim was to evaluate injury characteristics and outcomes in patients with all types of SF after blunt trauma.

METHODS

Retrospective analysis of 380 SF patients from two Level 1 trauma centers was performed. Patients were compared in various combinations: geriatric versus non-geriatric, isolated sternal fractures (ISF) versus combined sternal fractures (CSF), sternal body versus manubrium, displaced versus non-displaced, and with retrosternal hematoma versus without. Analyzed variables included: age, gender, race, comorbidities, mechanism of injury (MOI), injury severity score (ISS), Glasgow Coma Score (GCS), type and location of SF, concomitant fractures of ribs, vertebrae, clavicles and scapulae, co-injuries, rates of surgical stabilization, mechanical ventilation requirements, intensive care unit (ICU) admission, ICU length of stay (ICULOS), hospital LOS (HLOS), complications, and mortality.

RESULTS

ISF constituted 17.9% of all patients with no mortality. CSF patients constituted 82.1%, had more ICU admissions, longer ICULOS/HLOS and 9.3% mortality (all p < 0.001). Geriatric SF had more concomitant rib fractures and 12.9% mortality. Concomitant fractures of ribs were present in 56.7% and had higher ICU admissions, ICULOS and complications compared to SF patients with concomitant vertebrae fractures diagnosed in 38.2%.

CONCLUSION

SF are present in 2.1% of admissions to trauma centers. Geriatric patients account for half of SF patients and have higher mortality. Concomitant fractures of ribs are present in half and vertebrae fractures in one-third of the SF patients. CSF portend higher mortality and pulmonary co-injuries. The high incidence of concomitant rib and vertebra fractures requires additional diagnostic and treatment considerations.

[Improvement in breathing mechanics by plate osteosynthesis of the ribs after cardiac massage : Case report and review of the literature]

Es wird der Fall eines 69-jährigen Patienten vorgestellt, welcher nach wiederholter Herzdruckmassage (CPR) multiple Rippenfrakturen und eine Sternumfraktur mit inverser Atmung zeigte. Aufgrund der insuffizienten Atemmechanik wurde am 10. Tag nach Reanimation die Indikation zur Plattenosteosynthese der Rippen gestellt. Der Patient konnte am 4. postoperativen Tag extubiert werden. Die Literatur zeigt 5 weitere Fälle. Während es über die Verletzungsmuster nach CPR zahlreiche internationale Arbeiten gibt, ist zur Behandlung des instabilen Thorax nach CPR keine Evidenz gegeben. Jedoch konnte die Osteosynthese von Rippenfrakturen bei traumatischer Genese Vorteile wie verringerte Intensivbehandlungszeit, geringere beatmungsassoziierte Pneumonien, weniger atemabhängige Schmerzen und geringere Kosten für das Gesundheitssystem zeigen. Bei der Behandlung von reanimierten Patienten sollte im interdisziplinären Konsens auch die Osteosynthese von Rippenfrakturen berücksichtigt werden.

[Epidemiology, injury entities and treatment practice for chest wall injuries : Current scientific knowledge and treatment recommendations]

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. In addition to the important conservative therapeutic measures, such as a differentiated pain therapy and pneumonia prophylaxis, operative stabilization of fractures can be an option; however, this is still controversially discussed.

OBJECTIVE

A thematically structured overview provides basic knowledge on rib and sternal fractures as well as the treatment options.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

Epidemiological facts are presented based on the relevant literature and clinical experience. Anatomical principles are intended to improve understanding of the various entities of rib and sternal fractures. For this purpose, the new AO‑/OTA classification system is presented and finally therapeutic options including different osteosynthesis procedures are presented and their importance discussed.

RESULTS AND DISCUSSION

Multimodal therapy concepts and closely controlled follow-up examinations of fractures avoid complications or can detect them early. Bony chest wall injuries should still be evaluated for complications and typical fracture patterns identified and classified. Modern osteosynthesis procedures with high patient safety and soft tissue-preserving tissue preparation for the surgical access route to the ribs and sternum provide an excellent opportunity for successful restoration of the anatomical and physiological integrity of the bony thorax.