Has the documentation of chest injuries and the development of systemic complications in patients with long bone fractures changed over time?–A systematic literature review and meta-analysis by the IMPACT expert group

Abstract

Introduction

Blunt chest trauma represents a major risk factor for complications in polytrauma patients. Various scoring systems have emerged, but their impact is not fully appreciated. This review evaluates changes in chest trauma scoring over time and potential shifts in complication rates linked to modified surgical approaches in long bone fractures.

Methods

A systematic review was performed utilizing Medline and EMBASE. Included studies analyzed the clinical course following blunt chest trauma with orthopedic injuries requiring surgical fixation. Quantification of chest injury severity was assessed based on the utilized scores in the respective publication such as the Abbreviated Injury Scale, Injury Severity Score, Thoracic Trauma Score (TTS) or the Chest Trauma Score (CTS). The studies were categorized into two groups: “ante-millenium” (AM) (<31.12.2000) and “post-millenium” (PM) (>01.01.2000). Endpoint analysis focused on chest-injury-related complications, including acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), pneumonia, multiple organ failure (MOF), and pulmonary embolism. A meta-analysis examined the influence of surgical timing (early vs. late) on clinical outcomes.

Results

Of 9,682 studies on chest trauma, 20 (4,079 patients) met the inclusion criteria. Most studies in both AM and PM reported the thoracic AIS scale for severity assessment. In group PM more clinical parameters were included in the decision making. Incidences of pooled and weighted mortality were higher in AM (5.1 %) compared to PM (2.3 %, p = 0.003), and ARDS incidence was also greater in AM (12.1 %) versus PM (8.9 %, p = 0.045), though these findings were not confirmed through indirect meta-analysis. Early fracture fixation (<24 h) displayed a non-significant trend toward lower ARDS (OR: 0.60; 95 % CI, 0.23–1.52) and mortality (OR: 0.66; 95 % CI, 0.28–1.55), but significantly reduced pneumonia risk (OR, 0.53; 95 % CI, 0.40–0.71).

Conclusion

Prior to 2000, chest injuries were quantified using the AIS alone, while afterwards multiple scoring systems that incorporated pathophysiologic response were utilized. Possibly related to changes in timing of surgery, fixation techniques, or general improvements in-patient care seems to have improved in patients with concomitant thoracic trauma regarding mortality and ARDS. Overall, polytrauma patients with concomitant thoracic injuries might benefit from early definitive fracture care if their physiology and overall injury pattern allows it.

Level of Evidence

Systematic Review; Level IV