A study on the optimal timing for Rib fracture surgery: A report from a single center is earlier surgery always better?

BACKGROUND

Surgical stabilization of rib fractures (SSRF) is increasingly employed in the management of rib fractures. Current guidelines recommend performing SSRF within 48 to 72 h post-injury. This study aimed to validate this recommendation using data from a single center in China.

METHODS

We conducted a single-center retrospective analysis to investigate the effects of different surgical timings on the length of hospital stay, ICU stay, incidence of postoperative pulmonary infection, postoperative respiratory failure, pain scores at 1 week after surgery, and pain and quality of life scores at 1 and 6 months post-discharge in patients with rib fractures.

RESULTS

A total of 3899 patients were analyzed. The early surgery group (≤ 72 h) had significantly shorter hospital and ICU stays compared to the delayed surgery group (> 72 h) (P ≤ 0.001). There were no significant differences in postoperative pulmonary infection, respiratory failure, or pain scores at 1 week, 1 month, and 6 months post-discharge between the two groups. However, quality of life scores at 1 and 6 months post-surgery were significantly higher in the early surgery group (P < 0.001). Additionally, within the early surgery group, those who underwent surgery within 48 h of injury had a shorter hospital stay (P = 0.003).

CONCLUSIONS

SSRF performed early after injury can significantly shorten hospital and ICU stays and improve patients' quality of life for six months. SSRF performed within 48 h post-injury is recommended to achieve better outcomes.