Randomized controlled trial of surgical rib fixation to nonoperative management in severe chest wall injury
Meyer DE, Harvin JA, Vincent L, Motley K, Wandling MW, Puzio TJ et al.
Ann Surg 2023; 278: 357-365.
Surgical rib stabilization compared to conservative treatment did not affect length of ICU stay or number of days on a ventilator, or reduce overall duration of hospital stay: relative risk 1.48, 95 per cent confidence interval 1.17 to 1.88. Nor did it improve quality of life up to six months.
Comment: Good study reaffirming that surgery doesn’t have a role here.
6 December 2023
Read paperAcademy
Part of the charitable activity of the Foundation, BJS Academy is an online educational resource for current and future surgeons.
The Academy is comprised of five distinct sections: Continuing surgical education, Young BJS, Cutting edge, Scientific surgery and Surgical news. Although the majority of this is open access, additional content is available to BJS subscribers and strategic partners.
