Traumatic First Rib Fracture: An Indication of Life-threatening Injuries

First rib fracture is a very uncommon injury due to protection provided to it by clavicle. In isolation, it may be associated with neurovascular injury rarely but as part of poly trauma the first rib fracture may be associated with vascular injury in significant number of cases. There is definite role of computed tomography scan thorax in diagnosis of this fracture which can be missed on X-ray chest. Management includes early diagnosis of associated life-threatening complications and its prompt treatment.

A case of poly trauma associated with right first rib fracture with subclavian artery thrombosis resulting in gross ischemia of the right upper limb and fractures in the right upper limb and right lower limb long bones is reported. The patient developed signs of ischemia and lung complications 24 h later. Subclavian artery damage was diagnosed on Doppler ultrasound and angiography. The case was managed by surgical repair of subclavian artery damage and stabilization of fractures.

The case is reported to highlight association of first rib fracture with life-threatening complication of subclavian artery laceration causing extensive swelling around shoulder, ischemia to the right upper limb, lung damage, and problem of its detection and management.