title: Technique for repair of fractures and separations involving the cartilaginous portions of the anterior chest wall.
abstract: Internal fixation of the ribs has been shown in numerous studies to decrease complications following traumatic rib fractures. Anterior injuries to the chest wall causing cartilaginous fractures, although rare, can cause significant disability and can lead to a variety of complications and, therefore, pose a unique clinical problem. Here, we report the surgical technique used for four patients with internal fixation of injuries to the cartilaginous portions of the chest wall treated at our center. All patients had excellent clinical outcomes and reported improvement in symptoms, with no associated complications. Patients who have injuries to the anterior portions of the chest wall should be considered for internal fixation of the chest wall when the injuries are severe and can lead to clinical disability.
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, Section of Acute and Critical Care Surgery, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO. Electronic address: bonnes@wudosis.wustl.edu.
authors.forename: Stephanie L
authors.initials: SL
authors.lastname: Bonne
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, Section of Acute and Critical Care Surgery, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO.
authors.forename: Isaiah R
authors.initials: IR
authors.lastname: Turnbull
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, Section of Acute and Critical Care Surgery, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO.
authors.forename: Robert E
authors.initials: RE
authors.lastname: Southard
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D002356:Cartilage / Q000293:injuries* / Q000601:surgery*; D005593:Fracture Fixation, Internal / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012253:Rib Fractures / Q000601:surgery*; D019616:Thoracic Surgical Procedures / Q000379:methods*; D035441:Thoracic Wall / Q000293:injuries* / Q000601:surgery*; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014947:Wounds and Injuries / Q000150:complications