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Thorac Cardiovasc Surg 2020; 68(08): 743-751
DOI: 10.1055/s-0040-1713661
Original Thoracic

Comparison of Surgical Stabilization Time in Patients with Flail Chest

Hüseyin Ulaş Çınar
1   Department of Thoracic Surgery, Medicana International Samsun Hospital, Samsun, Turkey
,
Burçin Çelik 
2   Department of Thoracic Surgery, Medical School, Ondokuz Mayıs University, Samsun, Turkey
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Abstract

Background This study aimed to compare the clinical outcomes of early and late surgical stabilization of rib fractures (SSRFs) in patients with flail chest.

Methods A retrospective analysis was performed on patients with flail chest according to surgical stabilization time of rib fractures (early [≤ 72 hours] and late [>72 hours]). Outcome measures included duration of mechanical ventilation, intensive care unit (ICU) stay, hospital stay, and morbidity and mortality rates. A correlation analysis was performed between the time from trauma to stabilization and the clinical outcomes after stabilization.

Results A total of 70 patients were evaluated (36 and 34 in the early and late groups, respectively). The demographics and indicators of injury severity were comparable in both groups. The early group had significantly shorter duration of mechanical ventilation (23.7 vs. 165.6 hours; p = 0.003), ICU stay (6.5 vs. 19.7 days; p = 0.003), hospital stay (9 vs. 22.5 days; p = 0.001), and lower rate of atelectasis (11 vs. 58%; p = 0.01), pneumonia (8.8 vs. 50%; p = 0.001), and empyema (2.8 vs. 20.6%; p = 0.019). According to the correlation analysis, it was found that early surgical stabilization had a positive significant effect on clinical outcomes after stabilization.

Conclusion Early SSRFs in patients with flail chest results in more favorable clinical outcomes. It should be performed as soon as possible in the presence of indication and if feasible.

Keywords

chest wall - intensive care - trauma - outcomes - thoracoscopy - VATS


Publication History

Received: 01 December 2019

Accepted: 08 May 2020

Article published online:
07 July 2020

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