Rib fracture

Background

• Diagnostic goal w/ suspected rib fx is to detect the commonly associated conditions:
  • Hemopneumothorax, pulmonary contusion, intra-abd injury, major vascular injury
• Peds
  • <2yrs with >2 rib fx = 50% mortality
    • Ribs more flexible in kids so fx requires extreme force
• Elderly
  • Have 2x the mortality with rib fx compared to younger pts

Diagnosis

• CXR
  • 1st & 2nd Rib fx = severe chest trauma
  • 9th, 10, 11 rib fx = must r/o intra-abdominal injury

Disposition

• Consider admission for multiple rib fx + elderly or preexisting pulmonary disease
  • Difficult for these pts to cough / clear secretions

See Also

• Pulmonary Contusion
• Traumatic Pneumothorax
• Sternum Fracture

Source

• Tintinanlli