Complications, and requirement of opioid use after rib fractures, an analysis of 1074 patients

Aim: This study was aimed to evaluate the risk factors, associated complications, opioid requirements, and mortality rates of rib fractures. Materials and Methods: Patients with rib fractures who were admitted to the emergency department between January 1, 2016, and December 31, 2020, were retrospectively analyzed. Patients' demographic data, rib fracture characteristics, trauma mechanism, associated complications, length of stay in the hospital, and in-hospital mortality were recorded. Results: A total of 1074 patients were included in the study. Most of the patients were male (n = 748, 69.6%) and the mean age was 53.89 ± 15.31 years. The mean number of fractured ribs was 3.65 ± 2.06. All patients with diaphragm laceration, atelectasis, pneumonia, ARDS, pneumomediastinum, lung herniation, flail chest, and empyema had six or more rib fractures. Comparison of died and survived patients showed statistically significant differences for age, gender, side of rib fracture, number of fractured ribs, and accompanying another organ injury. A moderate-strong correlation was found between the number of fractured ribs and pneumothorax, hemothorax, chest tube, opioid use, and length of stay in the hospital. Conclusion: Increased number of fractured ribs were associated with increased complications, opioid use, and length of stay in the hospital. The mortality rate was 8.8% in patients with 6 or more fractures. In-vehicle traffic accidents were the most common mechanism. Many of the rib fractures can be prevented if the measures are improved.