When to pursue acute rib fracture fixation

This review will explore acute rib fracture management focusing on indications and timing for acute surgical stabilization of rib fractures (SSRF).

SSRF is a well tolerated and effective approach for a variety of rib fracture patterns and is most commonly used to correct either clinical flail chest or multiple displaced fractures. Objective tools that assess for deranged pulmonary dynamics may identify patients with other fracture patterns who will also benefit from SSRF. Multimodal analgesia approaches are essential regardless of whether SSRF is pursued; intractable pain may also prompt SSRF. Hemodynamic instability precludes acute SSRF. Otherwise, SSRF should occur within 72 h of injury. Preoperative planning includes thoracic computed tomography scanning, and a preanesthetic evaluation, especially in the geriatric patient based on the presence of comorbidities. Preoperative coordination with other services that also need to address acute injuries helps condense anesthesia exposures. Acute SSRF reduces pain and in particular pulmonary complications in those with acute rib fractures.

SSRF is a well tolerated and effectively acutely deployed operative technique to address specific rib fracture injury patterns. It is ideally embraced as a structured program to facilitate collaboration, coordination, and program performance evaluation.