Isolated fracture of the first rib associated with facial trauma.

Isolated fractures of the first rib are rare and often, though not always, indicative of severe trauma. The causes of first rib fracture are various, as are the sometimes serious complications of such a fracture. Since the oral and maxillofacial surgeon is involved many times in the primary care of the trauma patient, he must consider the possibility of first rib fracture and be alerted to the possible sequelae.