Chest wall injuries – a different approach

By Dr Sanjay Sharma, Cardiothoracic Surgeon, Perth

Rib and chest wall fractures are common. Rib fracture is associated with 15% of all trauma admission, while 30% of all rib fractures develop chronic pain six months post-injury.

Factors associated with increased risk of chronic pain include pre-trauma smoking history, two or more rib fractures, oxygen saturation less than 95% on admission, osteoporosis and prolonged opiate requirement. Sternal fracture is present in 4-8% of all blunt trauma injuries and can be painful chronically. 

Traditional management has been conservative based on analgesia and physiotherapy. However, increased patient demand for...

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