ObjectiveTo explore the feasibility to use pain scale and arterial oxygen partial pressure(PaO2)as screening internal fixation indications for patients with multiple rib fractures. MethodsClinical data of 48 patients with multiple rib fractures who were admitted to Shanghai Pudong Hospital from September 2010 to February 2013 were retrospectively analyzed. Visual analogue scale (VAS) was used for pain assessment. Twenty-four patients whose VAS was greater than or equal to 6 and PaO2 was less than 60 mm Hg 3 days after injury were chosen as the experimental group, including 16 males and 8 females with their age of 49.29±15.73 years. Another 24 patients whose VAS was less than or equal to 5 and PaO2 was greater than 60 mm Hg 3 days after injury were chosen as the control group, including 19 males and 5 females with their age of 48.63±13.49 years. Patients in both groups received rib internal fixation with steel plates. Three days and 1 week after surgery respectively, VAS and PaO2 were compared between the 2 groups. ResultsIn the experimental group, VAS 3 days after surgery was significantly lower than preoperative VAS (4.09±0.93 vs. 8.21±1.18, P < 0.05), and VAS 1 week after surgery was significantly lower than preoperative VAS (3.20±0.98 vs. 8.21±1.18, P < 0.05). In the control group, there was no statistical difference between VAS 3 days after surgery and preoperative VAS (P > 0.05), and there was no statistical difference between VAS 1 week after surgery and preoperative VAS (P > 0.05). Three days after surgery, PaO2 of the experimental group was significantly higher than preoperative PaO2 (61.00±3.47 mm Hg vs. 53.00±3.97 mm Hg, P < 0.05). There was no statistical difference between PaO2 3 days after surgery and preoperative PaO2 in the control group (66.71±5.15 mm Hg vs. 66.00±5.00 mm Hg, P > 0.05). Three days after surgery, pneumonia occurred in 4 patients in the experimental group and 2 patients in the control group (χ2=0.762, P > 0.05). Three days after surgery, pain scale reduction of the experimental group was significantly higher than that of the control group (4.13±1.45 vs. 0.00±0.42, P < 0.05). One week after surgery, pain scale reduction of the experimental group was significantly higher than that of the control group (5.04±1.23 vs. 0.08±0.28, P < 0.05). Three days after surgery, PaO2 increase of the experimental group was significantly higher than that of the control group (7.42±3.59 mm Hg vs. 0.21±0.98 mmHg, P < 0.05). ConclusionIt's reasonable and feasible to use pain scale greater than or equal to 6 and PaO2 less than 60 mm Hg as internal fixation indications for patients with multiple rib fractures.
Objective To evaluate clinical efficacy of four-claw Ti-planes for internal fixation of multiple rib fractures and flail chest. Methods Clinical data of 93 patients with multiple rib fractures and flail chest who were admittedto Shanghai Pudong Hospital from December 2011 to November 2012 were retrospectively analyzed. There were 78 male and 15 female patients with their age of 20-80 years. All the patients received internal fixation of rib fractures using four-clawTi-planes. Finite element modeling and analysis were performed to investigate biomechanical behaviors of rib fractures after internal fixation with four-claw Ti-planes. Results The average number of rib fractures of the 93 patients was 5.9±2.1，and each patient received 3.8±1.3 four-claw Ti-planes for internal fixation. The operations were performed 6.3±3.2 days after admission. After the rib fractures were fixed with four-claw Ti-planes，rib dislocations and chest-wall collapse of flail chest were restored，and patients’ pain was relieved. Postoperative CT image reconstruction of the chest showed no dislocationor displacement at the fixation areas of the four-claw Ti-planes. Rib fractures were stabilized well，and normal contours of the chest were restored. Finite element analysis showed that the maximum bearable stress of the rib fractures after internal fixation with four-claw Ti-planes was twice as large as normal ribs. Conclusion Clinical outcomes of four-claw Ti-planesfor internal fixation of rib fractures are satisfactory with small incisions and less muscle injury of the chest wall，so this technique deserves wide clinical use.
ObjectiveTo discuss the advantage and disadvantage of uniport video-assisted thoracic surgery (VATS) versus single utility port VATS in the surgical treatment of benign thoracic diseases. MethodsFrom January 2012 to December 2014, 125 patients with benign thoracic diseases who underwent VATS by the same performer were divided randomly into two groups including a uniport VATS group or a single utility port VATS group. There were 41 males and 24 females with a mean age of 47.5±16.6 years in the uniport VATS group. There were 39 males and 21 females with a mean age of 45.1±15.7 years in the single utility port VATS group. Then the patients were followed up. The perioperative data and follow-up results were compared between two groups. ResultsThe total 125 patients of operations were performed successfully according the established plan, without increasing incisions or transferring to thoracotomy. There were no statistical differences between two groups in operative time (48.9±11.3 min vs. 47.1±11.0 min), intraoperative bleeding volume (26.9±15.4 ml vs. 23.8±13.2 ml), postoperative 24 h chest tube drainage volume (81.5±36.9 ml vs. 77.3±31.2 ml), postoperative chest tube drainage time (2.8±2.0 d vs. 3.4±2.2 d), the pain score on the 3rd postoperative day (2.6±1.2 points vs. 2.6±1.3 points), average in-hospital stay (4.9±2.1 d vs. 5.1±2.2 d) or postoperative complications (P > 0.05). The patients were followed up for 3-24 months. All patients achieved satisfactory results with no recurrence. ConclusionsCompared with single utility port VATS, uniport VATS does not prolong operation time or consume more materials, and has advantages of minimally invasion and higher acceptance. It is a safe and feasible approach in surgical treatment of benign thoracic diseases and worthy of popularization and application.