Traumatic sternal fracture: outcome following admission to a Thoracic Surgical Unit.
BACKGROUND
We reviewed our experience of the in-hospital management and early follow-up of patients admitted with a traumatic sternal fracture to a Thoracic Surgical Unit.


METHODS
Over a 7-year period, 73 consecutive patients (51 males) with a median age of 51 (range 17-84) years were admitted through the Emergency Department with an acute traumatic sternal fracture. The patients were hospitalised for cardiorespiratory monitoring, pain control and physiotherapy. Outpatient follow-up occurred 6 weeks after discharge.


RESULTS
The median hospital stay was 2 days (range 1-15 days). Sixty-four patients (88%) did not require parenteral analgesia or any other procedure that would necessitate admission to hospital. Three patients (4%) with severely displaced fractures and complex co-morbidities required surgical correction. Follow-up revealed no significant complications.


CONCLUSIONS
Admission to hospital is not necessary for every patient sustaining a sternal fracture and should be reserved for those with high-impact trauma, severely displaced fractures, significant associated injuries, complex analgesic requirements, important co-morbidities or inadequate domestic support.
Velissaris
T
T
Department of Thoracic Surgery, Wessex Cardiac and Thoracic Unit, Southampton General Hospital, Tremona Road, Southampton SO16 6YD, UK. theo@velissaris.com
Tang
A T M
AT
Patel
A
A
Khallifa
K
K
Weeden
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DF
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D050723:Fractures, Bone / Q000628:therapy*; D006748:Hospital Departments; D006760:Hospitalization; D006801:Humans; D007902:Length of Stay; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013249:Sternum / Q000293:injuries*; D013903:Thoracic Surgery