The effects of analgesic treatment and chest physiotherapy on the complications of the patients with rib fractures that arise from blunt chest trauma.

Abstract

This prospective study aims to investigate the effect of chest physiotherapy and analgesic therapy on the possible complications of isolated rib fractures attributable to blunt thoracic trauma, such as hemothorax and pneumothorax. Patients who presented to Çanakkale Onsekiz Mart University School of Medicine Hospital's Emergency Department and Thoracic Surgery outpatient clinics within the first 24 hours of the post-traumatic period and did not have additional intrathoracic complications at presentation with blunt thoracic trauma and who were diagnosed with isolated rib fractures were enrolled in this prospective research study. The groups were designated as the patients who would receive analgesic treatment only (Group A) and the patients who would receive chest physiotherapy and analgesic treatment together (Group B). Patients who had first and second rib fractures or three or more rib fractures and who did not have additional organ injury were hospitalized in the Thoracic Surgery clinics; patients who had other organ trauma were hospitalized in related clinics. Patients were reassessed on their seventh and 30th post-traumatic days with physical examination and radiologic studies. The mean age of the 114 patients were 56.3±16.4 (22-87). There were 37 (32.5%) women and 77 (67.5%) men. Each group included 57 patients. The most common form of trauma was the same-level falls (31.6%). The mean number of rib fractures of all participants was 2.6±0.7 (1-10); the median number was 1.5. Fifty-two (45.6%) patients were hospitalized. The mean length of stay was 4.0±1.1 days. At the end of their treatment and follow-up periods, pleural effusion was found in 28 patients (24.6%) out of 114 enrolled at the side of trauma. Group B had a higher number of patients with pleural effusion (43.9%) than group A (5.3%). We performed tube thoracostomy in four patients, all of which were in group B (p<0.05). As a result of this study, chest physiotherapy maneuvers have increased the incidence of late hemothorax in patients with three or more isolated rib fractures. Also, minimal hemothoraces (<300 ml) may spontaneously regress, and no additional surgical treatment are required if the proper follow-up procedures are performed. It is advisable to hospitalize the blunt thoracic trauma patients who have three or more rib fractures and who are planned to undergo chest physiotherapy and or are prone to develop additional complications because of possible risks.