Two internal fixation methods under small incision in the treatment of multiple rib fractures

Chen He; Song Bin; Chen Yingying

doi:10.3969/j.issn.1009-4237.2025.10.005

Abstract：Objective To analyze the advantages and disadvantages of using preformed rib fixation plates and shape memory embracing fixators during small incision surgery for multiple rib fractures.Methods A retro-spective analysis was conducted on 86 patients with multiple rib fractures who underwent internal fixation via small incisions in Cardiothoracic Surgery Department of the 72nd Group Army Hospital of the People's Liberation Army from Jan.2019 to Oct.2021.Among them,56 were male and 30 were female,with the age of 21-74 years,averaging 55.6 years.The injury causes included 40 cases of road traffic accidents,21 falls from heights,17 machine injuries,and 8 others.Based on the internal fixators used during surgery,patients were divided into the preformed group(by using preformed rib fixation plate,n=42)and the embracing fixator group(by using shape memory embracing bone plate,n=44).All the internal fixation was conducted via small incision,and the advantages and disadvantages of the two materials were compared.Results Compared with the preformed group,the embracing fixator group showed much higher incidence of intraoperative complications[2.4%(1/42)vs.25%(11/44)]and postoperative complica-tions[90.9%(40/44)vs.42.9%(18/42)],but much higher completion rate with a single incision[36.4%(16/44)vs.9.5%(4/42)]and much less hospitalization cost(CNY,17,800 vs.58,200),all revealing significant differences(P<0.05).Conclusion In the surgical management of multiple rib fractures via small incisions,the preformed rib fixation plate induced much less intra-and post-operative complications,but the shape memory embra-cing bone plate makes the internal fixation much easier via a single incision,together with much less cost.