Comparison of trauma scoring system in predicting post-surgical fixation outcomes of traumatic rib fracture

Abstract

Background: Several trauma scoring systems have been widely used to determine the prognosis of trauma patients, but their use for post-surgical fixation of traumatic rib fracture patients has not yet been reported. This study aimed to compare several trauma scoring systems in predicting post-surgical fixation outcomes of traumatic rib fractures. Methods: A retrospective analytical study was conducted at a single tertiary hospital. Inclusion criteria were patients who suffered multiple rib fractures and were eligible for surgical rib fixation from January 2019 to July 2022. The outcomes of the study were the length of hospitalization (LHS) and intensive care unit stay (LICU), duration of thoracostomy tube insertion (DTT), the need for mechanical ventilation (NMV), and mortality post-surgery. The correlations of trauma scoring systems and measured outcomes were evaluated by bivariate and multivariate analysis. Cut-off values were determined utilizing a receiver operating characteristic curve. Results: The study involved 110 patients. All measured trauma scores were significantly correlated with the measured outcomes. Injury Severity Score (ISS) performed better to predict LHS (p=0.004) and DTT (p=0.007). Revised Trauma Score (RTS) was a good predictor of LICU (p≤0.001) and NMV (p=0.001; OR=0.39). Thoracic Trauma Severity Score (TTSS) was independent predictor of mortality (p=0.015; OR=2.28) and the NMV post-surgery (p=0.047; OR=1.320). Conclusion: Patients who have suffered severe thoracic trauma should be assessed using trauma scores, which may predict various in-hospital outcomes and should be used complementarily with other trauma scoring systems to minimize the incidence of mortality and morbidity.