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Sternal fractures: associated injuries and management
M W Hills1, A M Delprado, S A Deane
1Department of Surgery, Westmead Hospital, New South Wales, Australia.
The Journal of Trauma
|July 1, 1993
Summary
Sternal fractures are common in motor vehicle accident occupants over 50, particularly females wearing seat belts. These fractures are linked to fewer overall injuries and thoracic spine fractures, not serious chest trauma.
Area of Science:
- Trauma Surgery
- Emergency Medicine
- Orthopedic Surgery
Background:
- Sternal fractures can result from blunt chest trauma.
- Understanding associated injuries is crucial for patient management.
- Motor vehicle accidents are a significant cause of blunt trauma.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the significance of sternal fractures in blunt trauma victims.
- To identify associated injuries in patients with sternal fractures.
- To evaluate the characteristics of sternal fractures in motor vehicle occupants.
Main Methods:
- Prospective data collection from blunt trauma admissions.
- Analysis of 12,618 patients over a 6 1/2 year period.
- Comparison of patients with and without sternal fractures, focusing on motor vehicle occupants.
Main Results:
- 172 sternal fractures were recorded, with 89% in motor vehicle occupants.
- Sternal fractures in occupants were more common in females, those over 50, and seat belt users.
- An association was found with thoracic spine fractures, but not serious visceral chest injury.
- Patients with sternal fractures had lower overall injury severity (median ISS 5.5 vs. 13).
Conclusions:
- Sternal fractures in motor vehicle occupants have distinct demographic and injury patterns.
- Assessment should consider age and mechanism to refine patient evaluation.
- Further investigation may be reduced for isolated sternal fractures without significant pain.