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 use claw-shaped blade plate and self-made 'titanium clip' blade plate for rib fracture fixation, and compare outcomes of these two internal fixation methods through mechanical tests. MethodsThoracic cage specimens of six adults (male)corpses were numbered. Bilateral 4th, 6th and 8th thoracic ribs of each corpse were taken from the rib nodules (0%)to costal cartilage junction (CJJ points, 100%)along the long axis of the ribs. Rib fragments about 130 mm in length with 50% locus were selected for mechanical tests of the lateral area. A total of 36 rib fragments were sampled and numbered. Each rib fragment was placed on electronic universal mechanical tester. A span of 100 mm and a loading speed of 2.5 mm/min were set to perform a three-point bending test until specimens fractured. The loads at displacement of 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 15 and 20 mm respectively and maximum load were recorded, then the load-displacement curve was drawn. Above rib fragments were randomly divided into 2 groups, which were fixed using 'titanium clip' blade plate (titanium plate group)and claw-shaped blade plate (claw-shape group)respectively. Three-point bending test was performed under above loading conditions until the fixed specimens fractured again, and relevant data were recorded. ResultsBefore fixation, there was no statistical difference in maximum load and peak deformation of the 4th, 6th and 8th ribs between the 2 groups (P > 0.05). Maximum load and peak deformation of the 4th, 6th and 8th ribs in the claw-shape group after fixation were statistically different from those before fixation (P < 0.05). Maximum load and peak deformation of the 4th, 6th and 8th ribs in the titanium plate group after fixation were also statistically different from those before fixation (P < 0.05). After fixation, maximum loads of the 4th, 6th and 8th ribs in the claw-shape group were statistically different from those in the titanium plate group (P < 0.05), but there was no statistical difference in peak deformation between the 2 groups (P > 0.05). ConclusionsFractured ribs fixed with 'titanium clip' blade plates are more stable and stronger than those fixed with claw-shaped blade plates.
Pulmonary contusion is frequent and a serious injury in the chest trauma patients in emergency department. And it is easy to induce acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) and respiratory failure. Since the development of modern technology and transportation, flail chest with pulmonary contusion happens more frequently than the past. And its complications and mortality are higher. In order to understand it better and improve the effect of the therapy on flail chest with pulmonary contusion, we reviewed the relative literatures. In this article, the main contents are as followed:① The pathophysiological changes of pulmonary contusion; ② The pathophysiological changes of flail chest with pulmonary contusion; ③ Clinical manifestation of flail chest with pulmonary contusion; ④ Imaging change of flail chest with pulmonary contusion; ⑤ progress in diagnosis and treatment.
Objective To explore the feasibility of establishing a rabbit model of flail chest. Methods Flail chest model was eatablished in 12 New Zealand white rabbits after anesthesia and sterile surgery. The paradoxical movement of chest wall was recorded by the biological signal acquisition system, arterial blood was collected for blood gas analysis, the vital signs were recorded by electrocardiogram (ECG) and the lung tissue was taken for the pathological analysis at the end of the experiment. The effect of flail chest on the respiratory function of experimental animals was analyzed to evaluate the feasibility of establishing flail chest model. Results All surgeries were successful without mortality. The operation time was 41.42±7.08 min. Duration of endotracheal intubation was 79.33±12.21 min. Statistical results showed that the pH, partial pressure of arterial carbon dioxide (PaCO2) and base excess (BE) increased; while partial pressure of oxygen (PaO2) and oxygen saturation (SaO2) reduced. Pathological results showed that flail chest not intervented for a long period would lead to organic lesions. Conclusion The rabbit model of flail chest is feasible, safe, repeatable, easy and simple to handle. The animal is easy to access which is the foundation to study the disease process, recovery procedure and the efficacy after intervention.