Objective To evaluate clinical efficacy of four-claw Ti-planes for internal fixation of multiple rib fractures and flail chest. Methods Clinical data of 93 patients with multiple rib fractures and flail chest who were admittedto Shanghai Pudong Hospital from December 2011 to November 2012 were retrospectively analyzed. There were 78 male and 15 female patients with their age of 20-80 years. All the patients received internal fixation of rib fractures using four-clawTi-planes. Finite element modeling and analysis were performed to investigate biomechanical behaviors of rib fractures after internal fixation with four-claw Ti-planes. Results The average number of rib fractures of the 93 patients was 5.9±2.1，and each patient received 3.8±1.3 four-claw Ti-planes for internal fixation. The operations were performed 6.3±3.2 days after admission. After the rib fractures were fixed with four-claw Ti-planes，rib dislocations and chest-wall collapse of flail chest were restored，and patients’ pain was relieved. Postoperative CT image reconstruction of the chest showed no dislocationor displacement at the fixation areas of the four-claw Ti-planes. Rib fractures were stabilized well，and normal contours of the chest were restored. Finite element analysis showed that the maximum bearable stress of the rib fractures after internal fixation with four-claw Ti-planes was twice as large as normal ribs. Conclusion Clinical outcomes of four-claw Ti-planesfor internal fixation of rib fractures are satisfactory with small incisions and less muscle injury of the chest wall，so this technique deserves wide clinical use.
Pulmonary contusion is frequent and a serious injury in the chest trauma patients in emergency department. And it is easy to induce acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) and respiratory failure. Since the development of modern technology and transportation, flail chest with pulmonary contusion happens more frequently than the past. And its complications and mortality are higher. In order to understand it better and improve the effect of the therapy on flail chest with pulmonary contusion, we reviewed the relative literatures. In this article, the main contents are as followed:① The pathophysiological changes of pulmonary contusion; ② The pathophysiological changes of flail chest with pulmonary contusion; ③ Clinical manifestation of flail chest with pulmonary contusion; ④ Imaging change of flail chest with pulmonary contusion; ⑤ progress in diagnosis and treatment.
The incidence of rib fracture in patients with chest trauma is about 70%. Simple rib fractures do not need special treatment. Multiple rib fractures and flail chest are critical cases of blunt trauma, which often cause serious clinical consequences and need to be treated cautiously. Nowadays, there is a controversy about the diagnosis and treatment of multiple rib fractures and flail chest. In the past, most of the patients were treated by non-operative treatment, and only less than 1% of the patients with flail chest underwent surgery. In recent years, studies have confirmed that surgical reduction and internal fixation can shorten the hospital stay, and reduce pain and cost for patients with flail chest, but there is still a lack of relevant clinical consensus and guidelines for diagnosis and treatment, which leads to great differences in clinical diagnosis and treatment plans. This article reviewed the treatment, surgical indications and surgical timing of multiple rib fractures and flail chest.
ObjectiveTo use claw-shaped blade plate and self-made 'titanium clip' blade plate for rib fracture fixation, and compare outcomes of these two internal fixation methods through mechanical tests. MethodsThoracic cage specimens of six adults (male)corpses were numbered. Bilateral 4th, 6th and 8th thoracic ribs of each corpse were taken from the rib nodules (0%)to costal cartilage junction (CJJ points, 100%)along the long axis of the ribs. Rib fragments about 130 mm in length with 50% locus were selected for mechanical tests of the lateral area. A total of 36 rib fragments were sampled and numbered. Each rib fragment was placed on electronic universal mechanical tester. A span of 100 mm and a loading speed of 2.5 mm/min were set to perform a three-point bending test until specimens fractured. The loads at displacement of 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 15 and 20 mm respectively and maximum load were recorded, then the load-displacement curve was drawn. Above rib fragments were randomly divided into 2 groups, which were fixed using 'titanium clip' blade plate (titanium plate group)and claw-shaped blade plate (claw-shape group)respectively. Three-point bending test was performed under above loading conditions until the fixed specimens fractured again, and relevant data were recorded. ResultsBefore fixation, there was no statistical difference in maximum load and peak deformation of the 4th, 6th and 8th ribs between the 2 groups (P > 0.05). Maximum load and peak deformation of the 4th, 6th and 8th ribs in the claw-shape group after fixation were statistically different from those before fixation (P < 0.05). Maximum load and peak deformation of the 4th, 6th and 8th ribs in the titanium plate group after fixation were also statistically different from those before fixation (P < 0.05). After fixation, maximum loads of the 4th, 6th and 8th ribs in the claw-shape group were statistically different from those in the titanium plate group (P < 0.05), but there was no statistical difference in peak deformation between the 2 groups (P > 0.05). ConclusionsFractured ribs fixed with 'titanium clip' blade plates are more stable and stronger than those fixed with claw-shaped blade plates.
Objective To explore the feasibility of establishing a rabbit model of flail chest. Methods Flail chest model was eatablished in 12 New Zealand white rabbits after anesthesia and sterile surgery. The paradoxical movement of chest wall was recorded by the biological signal acquisition system, arterial blood was collected for blood gas analysis, the vital signs were recorded by electrocardiogram (ECG) and the lung tissue was taken for the pathological analysis at the end of the experiment. The effect of flail chest on the respiratory function of experimental animals was analyzed to evaluate the feasibility of establishing flail chest model. Results All surgeries were successful without mortality. The operation time was 41.42±7.08 min. Duration of endotracheal intubation was 79.33±12.21 min. Statistical results showed that the pH, partial pressure of arterial carbon dioxide (PaCO2) and base excess (BE) increased; while partial pressure of oxygen (PaO2) and oxygen saturation (SaO2) reduced. Pathological results showed that flail chest not intervented for a long period would lead to organic lesions. Conclusion The rabbit model of flail chest is feasible, safe, repeatable, easy and simple to handle. The animal is easy to access which is the foundation to study the disease process, recovery procedure and the efficacy after intervention.
目的探讨同种异体骨对多发性肋骨骨折内固定的治疗疗效。 方法回顾性分析我院2011年1月至2013年9月多发性肋骨骨折40例患者的临床资料，其中男33例、女7例，年龄23～67岁。 结果全组无1例死亡，手术时间为55～120 min，出血量30～120 ml，骨折矫形效果满意，浮动胸壁控制良好，反常呼吸消失，胸廓塑形满意，活动后疼痛减轻。随访3～24个月，内固定材料无明显移位、无折断，无明显急性或慢性排异反应，无骨折不愈合或延迟愈合，近远期无严重并发症发生。 结论用同种异体冻干骨对多发性肋骨骨折进行内固定治疗安全、有效。