title: Western Trauma Association Critical Decisions in Trauma: Management of rib fractures.
abstract: This is a recommended management algorithm from the Western Trauma Association addressing the management of adult patients with rib fractures. Because there is a paucity of published prospective randomized clinical trials that have generated Class I data, these recommendations are based primarily on published observational studies and expert opinion of Western Trauma Association members. The algorithm and accompanying comments represent a safe and sensible approach that can be followed at most trauma centers. We recognize that there will be patient, personnel, institutional, and situational factors that may warrant or require deviation from the recommended algorithm. We encourage institutions to use this as a guideline to develop their own local protocols.
authors: From the Oregon Health and Science University (K.J.B., M.S., S.R.), Portland, Oregon; Denver Health Medical Center (E.E.M.), Denver, Colorado; University of Oklahoma (R.A.A.), Oklahoma City, Oklahoma; Massachusetts General Hospital (M.D.), Boston, Massachusetts; Legacy Emmanuel Medical Center (R.K.-J.), Portland, Oregon; University of Miami (N.N.), Miami, Florida; University of California, San Francisco (M.C.), San Francisco, California; University of California-Davis (D.V.S.), Sacramento, California; Queens Medical Center (W.L.B.), Honolulu, Hawaii.
authors: Karen J
authors: KJ
authors: Brasel
authors: Ernest E
authors: EE
authors: Moore
authors: Roxie A
authors: RA
authors: Albrecht
authors: Marc
authors: M
authors: deMoya
authors: Martin
authors: M
authors: Schreiber
authors: Riyad
authors: R
authors: Karmy-Jones
authors: Susan
authors: S
authors: Rowell
authors: Nicholas
authors: N
authors: Namias
authors: Mitchell
authors: M
authors: Cohen
authors: David V
authors: DV
authors: Shatz
authors: Walter L
authors: WL
authors: Biffl
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000465:Algorithms; D005592:Fracture Fixation / Q000379:methods; D006801:Humans; D008991:Monitoring, Physiologic; D059408:Pain Management; D012253:Rib Fractures / Q000150:complications* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000628:therapy*