Surgical stabilization of rib fractures has demonstrated benefits in patients with complex thoracic injuries. Limited information exists regarding patients with thoracic injuries and concomitant spinal injuries. We hypothesized that patients who suffer both thoracic cage and spinal fractures and undergo surgical fixation (FIX) will have improved outcomes compared to non-fixation (NFIX) patients. In our retrospective review, adult patients with rib injuries from 2015 to 2019 were pooled from the National Trauma Data Bank. Mortality with FIX rib fractures with spinal fractures decreased by 6.1% vs the NFIX group. Mortality of FIX of rib fractures without spinal fractures decreased by 2.2% vs the NFIX group. Patients with rib fractures with concomitant spinal fracture (RFWSF) are more likely to receive rib FIX than those with rib fractures without spinal fractures. Rib FIX in patients with RFWSF vs those with RFWO facilitates less ventilators days and shorter ICU and hospital length of stay (LOS) as well as decreases mortality.
Keywords: rib fracture; spinal fracture; surgical rib fixation.