What question did this study set out to answer?

Evaluate the efficacy of late surgical stabilization of rib fractures compared to nonoperative management.

Better late than never? Efficacy of late surgical stabilization of acute rib fractures as compared to nonoperative management

View Full Paper

Ask AI

Bookmark

Authors

Randomized trial assesses late surgical stabilization impact on recovery in severe chest trauma, suggesting improved outcomes.

Evaluate the efficacy of late surgical stabilization of rib fractures compared to nonoperative management.
Analyzed a prospectively collected database from an urban level I trauma center (2016-2024).
Patients with ≥3 severely displaced rib fractures were included, comparing late surgical stabilization (days 5 to 14 post-injury) to nonoperative management using propensity score matching (1:2).
Outcomes measured include pain management (morphine milligram equivalents), ICU-free days, hospital length of stay, and incidence of pneumonia.
Late surgical stabilization patients had lower maximum daily morphine milligram equivalents post-day 5 (60 mg vs. 148 mg, P=0.045).
Patients who underwent late surgical stabilization had significantly more ICU-free days (6.5 vs. 3.5, P=0.02) and a shorter hospital length of stay (9.0 vs. 16.5 days, P=0.008).
Late surgical stabilization was associated with a lower incidence of pneumonia (0% vs. 33%, P=0.03).

Ferré et al. (2026) studied this question.

View Full Paper

Ask AI

Bookmark