Surgical Stabilisation of Rib Fractures in Non-ventilated Patients

Surgical Stabilisation of Rib Fractures in Non-ventilated Patients: a Retrospective Propensity-matched Analysis Using the Data From the German National Trauma Registry (TraumaRegister of the German Trauma Society (DGU))

The aim of the study is to investigate the effect of surgical stabilisation of rib fractures on clinical outcomes in patients that are not dependent on mechanical ventilation at the time of the treatment decision. To this end, data on all eligible patients will be extracted from the TraumaRegister® DGU. Baseline demographics will be analysed using descriptive statistics. Propensity matching will be conducted between the operative cohort (receiving SSRF by any technique) and the conservative cohort (not receiving SSRF). The effect of SSRF on the outcome variables will then be assessed using appropriate statistical tests.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Rib AIS of ≥ 3
• Initial hospital treatment

Exclusion Criteria:

• Intubated preclinically or in the emergency department
• Glasgow coma scale (GCS) < 9 at the time of the primary survey in the emergency department
• No in-patient hospital management