1
|
Adams-McGavin RC, Naveed A, Kishibe T, Beckett A, Nauth A, Hsu J, Gomez D. Management of non-union of rib fractures secondary to trauma: A scoping review. Injury 2024; 55:111553. [PMID: 38762403 DOI: 10.1016/j.injury.2024.111553] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/08/2024] [Revised: 03/12/2024] [Accepted: 04/05/2024] [Indexed: 05/20/2024]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Rib fracture non-union is an uncommon complication of traumatic rib fractures. Our objective was to perform a scoping review of the literature for the management of rib fracture non-union. This included analysis of the variations in surgical technique, complications experienced, and reported outcomes. METHODS We conducted a scoping review and searched databases (MEDLINE, CINAHL, and Embase). We performed abstract and full-text screening, and abstracted data related to pre-operative assessment, surgical technique, complications, and reported outcome measures. RESULTS We included 29 articles of which 19 were case reports and 10 were case series. The data quality was generally heterogeneous. The studies included 229 patients and the commonest symptoms of rib fracture non-union included chest pain, clicking, dyspnea and deformities. The patients underwent surgical management of rib fracture non-union (excluding first rib fractures) using various techniques. The majority used surgical stabilization of rib fracture with or without a graft. The reported outcomes were inconsistent between studies, but showed high rates of union (>94 %), reduction in reported VAS scores, and improved return to work when included. Implant failure occurred in 10 % of the 229 total patients reported in our studies, the re-operation rate was 13 %, and the overall complication rate was 27 %. CONCLUSION Surgical management of rib fracture non-union often involving locking plates and screws with or without a graft has been shown in several case reports and series as an effective treatment with acceptable implant failure and complication rates. Surgical management is therefore a viable option for symptomatic patients. Further research is required to determine optimal management strategies that further reduce surgical complications for these patients.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | - Asad Naveed
- Department of Surgery, Temerty Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada; Li Ka Shing Knowledge Institute of St. Michael's Hospital, Toronto, Ontario, Canada; Division of General Surgery, St. Michael's Hospital, Unity Health, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
| | - Teruko Kishibe
- Library Services, Li Ka Shing Knowledge Institute, St Michael's Hospital, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Andrew Beckett
- Department of Surgery, Temerty Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada; Li Ka Shing Knowledge Institute of St. Michael's Hospital, Toronto, Ontario, Canada; Division of General Surgery, St. Michael's Hospital, Unity Health, Toronto, Ontario, Canada; Canadian Forces Health Services, Ottawa, Canada
| | - Aaron Nauth
- Li Ka Shing Knowledge Institute of St. Michael's Hospital, Toronto, Ontario, Canada; Division of Orthopaedic Surgery, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Jeremy Hsu
- Trauma Service, Westmead Hospital, Westmead; and Westmead Clinical School, Australia; Faculty of Medicine and Health, University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - David Gomez
- Department of Surgery, Temerty Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada; Li Ka Shing Knowledge Institute of St. Michael's Hospital, Toronto, Ontario, Canada; Division of General Surgery, St. Michael's Hospital, Unity Health, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
DeGenova DT, Peabody JT, Schrock JB, Homan MD, Peguero ES, Taylor BC. Symptomatic rib fracture nonunion: a systematic review of the literature. Arch Orthop Trauma Surg 2024; 144:1917-1924. [PMID: 38492065 DOI: 10.1007/s00402-024-05264-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/26/2023] [Accepted: 02/27/2024] [Indexed: 03/18/2024]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Rib fractures commonly occur in trauma patients with varying presentations. Though the literature in recent years has moved toward favoring more early intervention of acute rib fractures, little has been reported on the matter of surgical fixation for symptomatic rib fracture nonunions. MATERIALS AND METHODS We performed a review of PubMed and Cochrane databases for articles published since 2000. Inclusion criteria were studies with greater than six months of follow-up, while case studies were excluded. A thorough analysis was performed on patient outcomes, complications reported, operative techniques utilized, and fixation systems used, among other parameters reported by the articles. RESULTS One hundred and thirty-nine studies resulted from our review, and a total of nine studies met our inclusion criteria with a combined total of 182 patients who underwent open reduction and internal fixation for symptomatic rib fracture nonunions. All studies reported a significant reduction of pain with increased satisfaction in the majority of patients. There were a total of 71 postoperative complications, the most common of which included surgical site infections, hardware failure, and hematoma. The most serious complications were insulting injury to the lung parenchyma or pleura; however, these were extremely rare based off the current literature. The use of bone grafting was common with eight of the nine studies mentioning the benefits of grafting. CONCLUSION Surgical stabilization of rib fracture nonunions appears to be an appropriate treatment alternative, and various techniques and approaches may be used with similar success. Further studies with higher level of evidence are recommended on the subject.
Collapse
|
3
|
Van Wijck SFM, Van Diepen MR, Prins JTH, Verhofstad MHJ, Wijffels MME, Van Lieshout EMM. Radiographic rib fracture nonunion and association with fracture classification in adults with multiple rib fractures without flail segment: A multicenter prospective cohort study. Injury 2024; 55:111335. [PMID: 38290909 DOI: 10.1016/j.injury.2024.111335] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/06/2023] [Revised: 01/01/2024] [Accepted: 01/14/2024] [Indexed: 02/01/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Rib fracture nonunion is a probable cause of chronic pain following chest trauma, although its prevalence remains unknown. The aims of this study were to determine rib fracture nonunion prevalence following nonoperative management and to determine if presence of nonunion was associated with the number of rib fractures, or the rib fracture classification of anatomical location, type, and displacement. METHODS This multicenter prospective cohort study included trauma patients with three or more fractured ribs but without a flail segment, who participated in the nonoperative management group of the FixCon trial between January 2019 and June 2022. The number and classification of rib fractures were assessed on trauma chest CT. Chest CTs conducted six months post-trauma were evaluated for the presence of nonunion. Radiological characteristics of nonunions were compared with normally healed rib fractures using the Mann-Whitney U, χ2 test, and Fisher's exact test as appropriate. A generalized linear model adjusted for multiple observations per patient when assessing the associations between nonunion and fracture characteristics. RESULTS A total of 68 patients were included with 561 post-traumatic fractures in 429 ribs. Chest CT after six months revealed nonunions in 67 (12 %) rib fractures in 29 (43 %) patients with a median of 2 (P25-P75 1-3) nonunions per patient. Nonunion was most commonly observed in ribs seven to 10 (20-23 %, p < 0.001, adjusted p = 0.006). Nonunion occurred in 14 (5 %) undisplaced, 22 (19 %) offset, and 20 (23 %) displaced rib fractures (p < 0.001). No statistically significant association between rib fracture type and nonunion was found. CONCLUSIONS Forty-three percent of patients with multiple rib fractures had radiographic nonunion six months after trauma. Fractures in ribs seven to 10 and dislocated fractures had an increased risk of rib fracture nonunion.
Collapse
|
4
|
Forrester JD, Bauman ZM, Cole PA, Edwards JG, Knight AW, LaRoque M, Raffa T, White TW, Kartiko S. Chest Wall Injury Society recommendation for surgical stabilization of nonunited rib fractures to decrease pain, reduce opiate use, and improve patient reported outcomes in patients with rib fracture nonunion after trauma. J Trauma Acute Care Surg 2023; 95:943-950. [PMID: 37728432 DOI: 10.1097/ta.0000000000004083] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 09/21/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Rib fractures are common injuries which can be associated with acute pain and chronic disability. While most rib fractures ultimately go on to achieve bony union, a subset of patients may go on to develop non-union. Management of these nonunited rib fractures can be challenging and variability in management exists. METHODS The Chest Wall Injury Society's Publication Committee convened to develop recommendations for use of surgical stabilization of nonunited rib fractures (SSNURF) to treat traumatic rib fracture nonunions. PubMed, Embase, and the Cochrane database were searched for pertinent studies. Using a process of iterative consensus, all committee members voted to accept or reject the recommendation. RESULTS No identified studies compared SSNURF to alternative therapy and the overall quality of the body of evidence was rated as low. Risk of bias was identified in all studies. Despite these limitations, there is lower-quality evidence suggesting that SSNURF may be beneficial for decreasing pain, reducing opiate use, and improving patient reported outcomes among patients with symptomatic rib nonunion. However, these benefits should be balanced against risk of symptomatic hardware failure and infection. CONCLUSION This guideline document summarizes the current CWIS recommendations regarding use of SSNURF for management of rib nonunion. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE Therapeutic/Care Management; Level IV.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Joseph D Forrester
- From the Division of General Surgery, Department of Surgery (J.D.F., A.K.), Stanford University, Stanford, California; Division of Acute Care Surgery (Z.M.B.), University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, Nebraska; HealthPartners Orthopaedics and Sports Medicine (P.A.C.), Bloomington, Minnesota; Department of Orthopaedic Surgery (P.A.C., M.L.), University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota; Department of Orthopaedic Surgery (P.A.C.), Regions Hospital, Saint Paul, Minnesota; Sheffield Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust (J.G.E.), Sheffield, United Kingdom; and Center for Trauma and Critical Care (T.R., T.W.W.), Department of Surgery (T.R., S.K.), George Washington University School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Washington, District of Columbia
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|