e-Article
Sternal Fractures in Blunt Chest Trauma: Retrospective Analysis of 330 Cases
CLINICAL PRACTICE ARTICLE
CLINICAL PRACTICE ARTICLE
Document Type
Report
Author
Source
Journal of the College of Physicians and Surgeons Pakistan. June 2022, Vol. 32 Issue 6, p799, 5 p.
Subject
Language
English
ISSN
1022-386X
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Sternal fracture (SF) accounts for approximately 3% to 8% of all thoracic trauma admissions. (1) SFs are encountered with increasing frequency in motor vehicle accidents, particularly since the introduction [...]
Objective: To analyse the range of injuries associated with sternal fracture (SF) and their clinical features and outcomes. Study Design: Observational study. Place and Duration of Study: Department of Emergency Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Selcuk University, Konya, Turkey, from July 2010 to July 2020. Methodology: Sternal fractures were considered in 330 patients with blunt trauma during the study period. They were categorised according to the Johnson and Branfoot classification and the Arbeitsgemeinschaft fur Osteosynthesefragen / Orthopaedic Trauma Association classification. Demographic data were collected, including age, gender, mechanism of injury, associated injuries, and the length of hospital stay. Results: During the 10-year study period, a total of 4024 thoracic trauma patients were admitted to the emergency department. Of these, 330 (8.2%) had a sternal fracture. The median age of the patients was 41 (8-90) years, and 72.7% were male. Isolated sternal fractures occurred in 93 patients (28.2%). An additional thoracic injury was observed in 74 patients (22.4%) included in the study, and an accompanying extrathoracic injury was observed in 34 patients (10.3%). In 129 patients (39.1%), both thoracic and extrathoracic pathologies were detected, in addition to SF. The mortality rate among patients with isolated sternal fracture was 1.1%; the mortality rate among patients with sternal fracture accompanied by additional pathologies was 6.6%. Conclusion: Sternal fractures are frequently associated with other injuries. Although isolated sternal fracture has a good prognosis, careful evaluation and clinical observation are essential for additional injuries. Key Words: Emergency medicine, Sternal fracture, Chest trauma.
Objective: To analyse the range of injuries associated with sternal fracture (SF) and their clinical features and outcomes. Study Design: Observational study. Place and Duration of Study: Department of Emergency Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Selcuk University, Konya, Turkey, from July 2010 to July 2020. Methodology: Sternal fractures were considered in 330 patients with blunt trauma during the study period. They were categorised according to the Johnson and Branfoot classification and the Arbeitsgemeinschaft fur Osteosynthesefragen / Orthopaedic Trauma Association classification. Demographic data were collected, including age, gender, mechanism of injury, associated injuries, and the length of hospital stay. Results: During the 10-year study period, a total of 4024 thoracic trauma patients were admitted to the emergency department. Of these, 330 (8.2%) had a sternal fracture. The median age of the patients was 41 (8-90) years, and 72.7% were male. Isolated sternal fractures occurred in 93 patients (28.2%). An additional thoracic injury was observed in 74 patients (22.4%) included in the study, and an accompanying extrathoracic injury was observed in 34 patients (10.3%). In 129 patients (39.1%), both thoracic and extrathoracic pathologies were detected, in addition to SF. The mortality rate among patients with isolated sternal fracture was 1.1%; the mortality rate among patients with sternal fracture accompanied by additional pathologies was 6.6%. Conclusion: Sternal fractures are frequently associated with other injuries. Although isolated sternal fracture has a good prognosis, careful evaluation and clinical observation are essential for additional injuries. Key Words: Emergency medicine, Sternal fracture, Chest trauma.