EQ-5D como herramienta para evaluar calidad de vida de osteosíntesis costal

Objective: Rib fixation for flail chest has been shown to improve in-hospital outcome, but little is known about the treatment of multiple rib fractures and long-term outcome is poor. The objective of this study was to describe the safety and long-term quality of life after rib fixation. Methods: A prospective study was conducted that included all adult patients with blunt chest trauma who underwent rib fixation for flail chest or multiple rib fractures between March 2021 and March 2024 in the chest surgery service. Results: Of the 140 patients admitted with multiple rib fractures or flail chest, 69 (49.2%) underwent rib fixation; 14 patients with unstable chest (rib volet) and 55 patients with multiple rib fractures with an ISS of 29 and 22, respectively; 71 (50.7%) patients remained in the control group. The EQ-5D of the operated group was 0.87 compared to the control group, which was 0.71. Three (4.3%) patients had implant-related complications and 3 (4.3%) had their prosthesis removed. Conclusions: We demonstrated that rib fixation is a safe procedure and that patients reported a higher long-term quality of life in the operated group compared to the control.