Mortality Causes in Rib Surgery Patients

The Underlying Cause of Mortality and Morbidity in Patients Undergoing Rib Fracture Surgery: Pulmonary Contusion or Associated Extrathoracic Trauma?

This study retrospectively investigates the causes of mortality and morbidity in patients undergoing rib fracture surgery due to blunt trauma. The primary objective is to determine whether pulmonary contusion or associated extrathoracic trauma plays a more significant role in adverse outcomes. Data collected includes patient demographics, trauma mechanisms, associated injuries, surgical timing, and clinical outcomes. The study aims to provide insights into improving management strategies for trauma patients and reducing complication rates through early identification and tailored interventions.

Study Overview

• Status: Completed
• Conditions: Thoracic Injuries; Flail Chest; Rib Fractures; Pulmonary Contusion; Blunt Trauma
• Intervention / Treatment: Other: Rib fractures manangement

Detailed Description

This retrospective study investigates the underlying causes of morbidity and mortality in patients who underwent rib stabilization surgery due to blunt trauma-induced rib fractures. The primary objective is to determine whether pulmonary contusion or associated extrathoracic trauma plays a more significant role in adverse outcomes such as pneumonia, prolonged air leaks, tracheostomy, wound infections, and mortality.

The study includes patients diagnosed with flail chest who underwent rib stabilization surgery between January 1, 2014, and January 1, 2024, at a single tertiary care center. Collected data encompasses patient demographics, trauma mechanisms, associated injuries (thoracic and extrathoracic), surgery timing (early vs. late stabilization), ventilator settings, extubation duration, intensive care unit (ICU) and hospital length of stay, laboratory parameters, and clinical outcomes.

Key outcomes include the incidence of morbidity (e.g., pneumonia, prolonged air leak, wound infections) and mortality. Statistical analyses will evaluate the relationship between these outcomes and factors such as the severity and timing of injuries, surgery timing, trauma mechanisms, and associated injuries.

The study aims to provide valuable insights into optimizing the management of flail chest patients, emphasizing the importance of early rib stabilization and a multidisciplinary approach. These findings are expected to contribute to the development of standardized protocols for patient selection and intervention timing, potentially improving patient outcomes in multitrauma settings.

• Study Type: Observational
• Enrollment (Actual): 112

Participation Criteria

Eligibility Criteria

• Ages Eligible for Study: Adult; Older Adult
• Accepts Healthy Volunteers: No

• Sampling Method: Non-Probability Sample

Study Population

Patients with blunt trauma-induced rib fractures leading to flail chest, treated with rib stabilization surgery in a hospital setting.

Description

Inclusion Criteria:

• Patients aged 18-80 years diagnosed with flail chest following blunt trauma who underwent rib stabilization surgery
• Those with complete clinical and laboratory data
• Those with at least 30 days of follow-up after surgery.

Exclusion Criteria:

• Patients under 18 years of age
• Flail chest patients who did not require rib stabilization surgery
• Patients with incomplete clinical or laboratory data
• Those with penetrating thoracic trauma.

Study Plan

How is the study designed?

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Measure Description	Time Frame
Mortality Rate in Patients Undergoing Rib Stabilization Surgery	The primary outcome measure is the overall mortality rate among patients with flail chest due to blunt trauma, treated with rib stabilization surgery. The analysis will focus on the association between mortality and factors such as trauma severity and associated injuries.	Within 30 days post-surgery

Collaborators and Investigators

• Sponsor: Caner İşevi, MD

Study record dates

Study Major Dates

• Study Start (Actual): January 1, 2014
• Primary Completion (Actual): January 1, 2024
• Study Completion (Actual): January 1, 2024

Study Registration Dates

• First Submitted: December 24, 2024
• First Submitted That Met QC Criteria: December 24, 2024
• First Posted (Actual): March 25, 2025

Study Record Updates

• Last Update Posted (Actual): March 25, 2025
• Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria: December 24, 2024
• Last Verified: December 1, 2024

More Information

Terms related to this study

• Keywords: Multiple trauma; Rib fractures; Flail chest; Pulmonary contusion
• Additional Relevant MeSH Terms: Wounds, Nonpenetrating; Fractures, Bone; Wounds and Injuries; Rib Fractures; Contusions; Flail Chest; Thoracic Injuries
• Other Study ID Numbers: B.30.2.ODM.0.20.08/713

Drug and device information, study documents

• Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated drug product: No
• Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated device product: No
• product manufactured in and exported from the U.S.: No