One-year patient-reported outcomes following surgical stabilization of rib fractures

Rib fractures are a common injury in trauma patients. Studies suggest surgical stabilization of rib fractures can improve prolonged ventilation and pain; however, there are limited studies reporting outcomes beyond 90-day post-injury. This study evaluates patient-reported outcomes for patients who underwent surgical stabilization of rib fractures (SSRF) over a one-year period.

Patients who underwent SSRF from January 2019 to December 2023 were analyzed. Single Assessment Numeric Evaluation of improvement (SANE) and the Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System Global Physical Health 10 (PROMIS 10 GPH) were collected at 6 weeks, 3 months, 6 months, and 1 year postoperatively. The recovery curves for PROMIS 10 GPH, SANE, and pain score were plotted to visualize the longitudinal progression.

Sixty patients were included with a mean age of 60.1 ± 13.4 years. Patients had a decrease in pain from 8.2 ± 1.6 at admission, to 3.6 ± 2.2 at 6 weeks, 2.9 ± 2.1 at 3 months, 2.9 ± 2.1 6 months, and 2.9 ± 2.2 1 year. There was a significant decrease of pain from admission to 1-year post-operative (p < 0.01). PROMIS 10 GPH went from an average of 43.4 ± 12.9 at 6 weeks, 45.0 ± 8.5 at 3 months, 46.1 ± 7.1 at 6 months, to 46.5 ± 7.9 at 1 year. PROMIS GPH did not significantly improve from 6 weeks to 1-year post-operative (p = 0.1). SANE scores increased on average from 64.4 ± 30.2 at 6 weeks, 77.3 ± 21.3 at 3 months, 78.6 ± 18.6 at 6 months, and to 81.4 ± 19.8 at 1 year. SANE scores significantly increased from 6 weeks to 1-year post-operative (p = 0.01).

Patients treated with SSRF experience significant pain decrease 6 weeks with continued improvement at 1-year postoperatively. SANE scores significantly increased over 1 year, while PROMIS scores did improve but are not statistically significant. Our data demonstrated that patients who undergo SSRF have a long recovery course spanning over 1-year postoperatively.