Original scientific paper
Initial Experience with External Thoracic Stabilization by the »Figure of Eight« Osteosynthesis in Polytraumatized Patients with Flail Chest Injury
Aldo Ivančić
; Department of Thoracovascular Surgery, University Hospital of Rijeka, Rijeka, Croatia
Igor Saftić
; Department of Thoracovascular Surgery, University Hospital of Rijeka, Rijeka, Croatia
Tedi Cicvarić
; Department of Traumatology, University Hospital of Rijeka, Rijeka, Croatia
Josip Španjol
; Department of Urology, University Hospital »Rijeka«, of Rijeka, Croatia
Hrvoje Štalekar
; Department of Traumatology, University Hospital of Rijeka, Rijeka, Croatia
Marin Marinović
; Department of Thoracovascular Surgery, University Hospital of Rijeka, Rijeka, Croatia
Dean Markić
; Department of Urology, University Hospital »Rijeka«, of Rijeka, Croatia
Abstract
The aim of this study was to describe initial experience with external thoracic stabilization by the »figure of eight« osteosynthesis in polytraumatized patients with flail chest injury. From January 2002, fifteen patients underwent this surgical procedure at the University Hospital of Rijeka. Their mean age was 52 ± 13.69 (range 18–65) and mean ISS was 29.8 (range: 20–41). Twelve patients were weaned from artificial respiration on same day when operated, two on the post-operative day 1, and one on the post-operative day 2. Their stay within the intensive care unit following extubation was within the range of 1–12 days (mean 3.93 ± 2.99). The early external thoracic stabilization by the »figure of eight« osteosynthesis was followed by swift extubation of patient and direct normalization of respiratory parameters. This method contributed significantly to patient’s shorter stay within the intensive care unit.
Keywords
thoracic stabilization; polytrauma; »figure of eight«; flail chest; rib fracture; sternal fracture; osteosynthesis
Hrčak ID:
39530
URI
Publication date:
1.3.2009.
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