title: [Effect of Xuefu Zhuyu decoction in preventing complications of rib fracture in patients with blunt chest injury].
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate the clinical effect of Xuefu Zhuyu Decoction (XFZYD) on the incidence of complications of rib fracture in patients with blunt chest injury.
  
  
  METHODS
  One hundred and twenty patients with rib fracture stratified according to the AIS scale in three layers (1-3) were equally assigned to two groups, the treated group and the control group, all received conventional treatment, but XFZYD was administered to patients in the treated group additionally. The incidence of complications in patients, including atelectasis, pleural effusion, pulmonary contusion, pleurocentesis and closed thoracic drainage, were observed.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The incidence of pleural effusion in patients of AIS-1 and -2 in the treated group was 20% and 45% respectively, which was remarkable lower than that in the control group (55% and 85%) respectively (P < 0.05); in the treated group, 10% patients of AIS-3, for whom close thoracic drainage was applied, while in the control group, the percentage reached 60%, showing significant difference between groups (P < 0.05).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  XFZYD could reduce the incidence of pleural effusion in patients with blunt chest injured rib fracture of AIS-1 or -2, and reduce the utilization of close thoracic drainage in those of AIS-3, so it is good for clinical practice.
authors.affiliation: Trauma Emergency Center, Shuguang Hospital, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai. zhu7610@yahoo.com.cn
authors.forename: Tao
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Zhu
authors.forename: Zong-De
authors.initials: ZD
authors.lastname: Hu
authors.forename: Jing-Yin
authors.initials: JY
authors.lastname: Mai
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D004365:Drugs, Chinese Herbal / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D008517:Phytotherapy; D010996:Pleural Effusion / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D012253:Rib Fractures / Q000150:complications* / Q000188:drug therapy*; D013898:Thoracic Injuries / Q000150:complications; D014949:Wounds, Nonpenetrating / Q000150:complications
chemical_list: D004365:Drugs, Chinese Herbal; C513826:Xue-Fu-Zhu-Yu decoction