Active clinical trials for "Flail Chest"

Unstable chest injuries are common in poly trauma patients. They can lead to severe pulmonary restriction, loss of lung volume, difficulty with ventilation and can render the patient to require intubation and mechanical ventilation. Traditionally these injuries have been treated non-operatively, however in the past decade there has been numerous studies suggesting improved outcomes with surgical fixation. Surgical fixation can significantly decrease time spent in ICU as well as day on mechanical ventilation. The investigators aim is to conduct a randomized control trial of these injuries, to compare non-operative treatment with surgical fixation. The investigators' hypothesis is that surgically treated patient will have significantly improved outcomes compared to those treated non-operatively.

The purpose of this observational study is to document the treatment of serial rib fractures with MatrixRIB implants in a registry.

The study included 20 adult patients presented by multiple fractured ribs (flail segment) with thoracic trauma severity score (TTSS) between 5 and 15. All patients received mid-thoracic epidural analgesia with 0.125% Bupivacaine and 1 μg/ml fentanyl. The patients were ventilated using non-invasive positive pressure ventilation (NIPPV). Follow up arterial blood gases, chest X-ray and CT scan were obtained. Parameters to be recorded: Patient's characteristics and clinical data including pulmonary contusion, number of fractured ribs, pleural involvement, PaO2/FiO2 ratio on admission, weaning outcome, duration of NIPPV, length of stay in ICU (LOS ICU), complications and mortality rate.