Comparison of patients who meet criteria for surgical stabilization of rib fractures versus those who actually get rib fixation: A single center review

Background

Surgical stabilization of rib fractures (SSRF) has shown benefits for rib fracture patients. However, the incidence of SSRF performed remains low. We compare our institution's rib fracture patients meeting criteria for SSRF versus those actually receiving the operation, hypothesizing a significant portion are not undergoing SSRF.

Methods

A retrospective review of rib fracture patients presenting to our Level 1 trauma center from 1/2016 to 4/2023. Patients were categorized as those who met SSRF inclusion criteria versus those who didn't based on the 2023 Chest Wall Injury Society (CWIS) SSRF Guidelines. Basic demographics were obtained. Patients meeting SSRF criteria were divided into those who received SSRF versus those who didn't. Outcomes of interest included type and frequency of SSRF indications and frequency of absolute/relative contraindications. Descriptive statistics were used. Median test and t-test were used for statistical analysis. Statistical significance was set at p < 0.05.

Results

A total of 3,432 patients presented with ≥1 rib fracture(s). Of those, 1,573(45.8 %) met SSRF inclusion criteria. These patients were predominantly male, with mean age of 57.4(±18.5) and a similar Injury Severity Score but significantly higher chest-Abbreviated Injury Score of 3 (Interquartile range 3,4)(p = 0.048). Only 458(29.1 %) patients underwent SSRF, leaving 1,115(70.9 %) managed non-operatively, of which 215(19.3 %) were ventilated and “failure to wean from the ventilator” was the most common (81.4 %) indication for SSRF. Of the 900(80.7 %) non-ventilated patients managed non-operatively, 659 (69.9 %) had ≥two indications for SSRF, 382(34.3 %) had zero relative contraindications and 394(35.3 %) had one relative contraindication for SSRF. Lastly, 52.6 % of patients in this cohort had reported “clicking/popping” of their fractures.

Conclusion

Only 29.1 % of patients meeting criteria for SSRF had the operation based on data from our institution. There may be additional opportunity to benefit this cohort of patients meeting SSRF criteria but not undergoing surgery.