Rib fracture: Difference between revisions

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=Background=
==Background==
[[File:multipleribfractures.png|thumbnail|Multiple Right sided rib fractures]]
[[File:multipleribfractures.png|thumbnail|Multiple Right sided rib fractures]]
*Diagnostic goal: detect commonly associated conditions: hemopneumothorax, pulmonary contusion, intra-abdominal injury, major vascular injury
*Diagnostic goal: detect commonly associated conditions: hemopneumothorax, pulmonary contusion, intra-abdominal injury, major vascular injury
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*Elderly: double the mortality of younger patients
*Elderly: double the mortality of younger patients


=Diagnosis=
==Clinical Features==
*Chest x-ray
*Rib pain
**1st & 2nd rib fractures associated with severe chest trauma and underlying injury
*Assess for flail chest
**9th, 10th, 11th rib fractures associated with intra-abdominal injury


==Differential Diagnosis==
==Differential Diagnosis==
{{Thoracic trauma DDX}}
{{Thoracic trauma DDX}}
==Diagnosis==
*CXR (Consider xray rib views)
**May only pick up 24% of fractures<ref>Rainer TH, Griffith JF, Lam E, et al. Comparison of thoracic ultrasound, clinical acumen, and radiography in patients with minor chest injury. J Trauma 2004:56;1211–13.</ref>
**9th, 10th, 11th rib fractures associated with intra-abdominal injury
*CT thorax without contrast for more definitive diagnosis
**Sensitivity 0.63 and specificity 0.97<ref>Schulze C, Hoppe H, Schweitzer W, et al. Rib fractures at postmortem computed tomography (PMCT) validated against the autopsy. Forensic Sci Int. 2013; 233(1-3):90-98.</ref>


==Management==
==Management==
*Dilaudid PCA upon decision to admit<ref>Dept of Surg Edu at Orlando Regional Medical Center. Multi-modality pain control for rib fractures. Surgical Critical Care. 11/30/2010. http://www.surgicalcriticalcare.net/Guidelines/rib%20fracture%202010.pdf</ref>
===Admission===
*Consider [[Dilaudid]] PCA upon decision to admit<ref>Dept of Surg Edu at Orlando Regional Medical Center. Multi-modality pain control for rib fractures. Surgical Critical Care. 11/30/2010. http://www.surgicalcriticalcare.net/Guidelines/rib%20fracture%202010.pdf</ref>
*Incentive spirometry
*Incentive spirometry
*EzPAP® positive airway pressure system
*EzPAP® positive airway pressure system
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*Consider addition of:
*Consider addition of:
**Continuous epidural bupivacaine infusion if failure of PCA/NSAIDs
**Continuous epidural bupivacaine infusion if failure of PCA/NSAIDs
**Paracostal infusions of bupivacaine via elastomeric pump (ex. On-Q or C-Bloc)
**Diazepam 10 mg IV/PO q4-6 hrs if respiratory rate adequate
**Diazepam 10 mg IV/PO q4-6 hrs if respiratory rate adequate
===Discharge===
*Teach how to splint and cough
*Be liberal with pain medicine
*Encourage incentive spirometer or tell to blow up balloons
*Discourage rib belts or straps


=Disposition=
==Disposition==
*Strongly consider admission for more than one rib fracture in elderly patient or patient with preexisting pulmonary disease  
*Strongly consider admission for more than one rib fracture in elderly patient or patient with preexisting pulmonary disease  
**Difficult for these patients to cough / clear secretions
**Difficult for these patients to cough / clear secretions
*If discharged:
**Teach how to splint and cough
**Be liberal with pain medicine
**Encourage incentive spirometer or tell to blow up balloons
**Discourage rib belts or straps


==See Also==
==See Also==

Revision as of 16:17, 29 September 2015

Background

Multiple Right sided rib fractures
  • Diagnostic goal: detect commonly associated conditions: hemopneumothorax, pulmonary contusion, intra-abdominal injury, major vascular injury
  • Pediatrics: <2 years old with >2 rib fractures = 50% mortality
    • Ribs more flexible in children, so fractures require extreme force
  • Elderly: double the mortality of younger patients

Clinical Features

  • Rib pain
  • Assess for flail chest

Differential Diagnosis

Thoracic Trauma

Diagnosis

  • CXR (Consider xray rib views)
    • May only pick up 24% of fractures[1]
    • 9th, 10th, 11th rib fractures associated with intra-abdominal injury
  • CT thorax without contrast for more definitive diagnosis
    • Sensitivity 0.63 and specificity 0.97[2]

Management

Admission

  • Consider Dilaudid PCA upon decision to admit[3]
  • Incentive spirometry
  • EzPAP® positive airway pressure system
  • Early NSAIDs for multiple rib fractures to reduce pna
    • Ibuprofen 800 mg IV q6hrs
    • OR ketorolac 15-30 mg IV q6 hrs[4]
    • Limit IV NSAIDs to maximum of 5 days
  • Transition to PO narcotics and NSAIDs whenever possible
  • Consider addition of:
    • Continuous epidural bupivacaine infusion if failure of PCA/NSAIDs
    • Paracostal infusions of bupivacaine via elastomeric pump (ex. On-Q or C-Bloc)
    • Diazepam 10 mg IV/PO q4-6 hrs if respiratory rate adequate

Discharge

  • Teach how to splint and cough
  • Be liberal with pain medicine
  • Encourage incentive spirometer or tell to blow up balloons
  • Discourage rib belts or straps

Disposition

  • Strongly consider admission for more than one rib fracture in elderly patient or patient with preexisting pulmonary disease
    • Difficult for these patients to cough / clear secretions

See Also

References

  1. Rainer TH, Griffith JF, Lam E, et al. Comparison of thoracic ultrasound, clinical acumen, and radiography in patients with minor chest injury. J Trauma 2004:56;1211–13.
  2. Schulze C, Hoppe H, Schweitzer W, et al. Rib fractures at postmortem computed tomography (PMCT) validated against the autopsy. Forensic Sci Int. 2013; 233(1-3):90-98.
  3. Dept of Surg Edu at Orlando Regional Medical Center. Multi-modality pain control for rib fractures. Surgical Critical Care. 11/30/2010. http://www.surgicalcriticalcare.net/Guidelines/rib%20fracture%202010.pdf
  4. Yang Y et al. Use of ketorolac is associated with decreased pneumonia following rib fractures. Am J Surg. 2014 Apr;207(4):566-72. doi: 10.1016/j.amjsurg.2013.05.011. Epub 2013 Oct 7.