• Dongfang Wang, Shuaipeng Gu, Huaqing Shen, Tonghan Li, Enzhi Yin, Xiang Wang, Wei Gao, and Yiliu Liao.
• Division of Trauma Surgery, Emergency Surgery & Surgical Critical, Tongji Trauma Center, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Tongji Hospital, Wuhan 430030, China.
• Postgrad Med J. 2024 Jun 28; 100 (1185): 496503496-503.

BackgroundMultiple displaced rib fractures often result in a poor prognosis. Open reduction and internal fixation has been shown to provide benefits for patients with displaced rib fractures and flail chest. Nevertheless, for patients who are unwilling or unsuitable for surgery, the therapeutic options are limited. We developed a novel plastic vacuum device for rib fractures external stabilization. This study aims to compare the therapeutic efficacy of this device against a traditional chest strap in polytrauma patients with multiple rib fractures.MethodsA retrospective investigation was conducted on polytrauma patients with multiple rib fractures admitted to our trauma center between March 2020 and March 2023. Patients were categorized into two groups: vacuum external fixation and chest strap. Comparative analysis was conducted on baseline parameters, injury characteristics, and clinical outcomes between the two groups.ResultsIn this study, 54 patients were included, with 28 receiving chest strap and 26 undergoing vacuum external fixation. Results showed that, at 3 days and 7 days postintervention, the vacuum external fixation group had significantly lower visual analog scale scores during deep breathing and coughing (P < .05). Vacuum external fixation also reduced pleural drainage duration and volume, as well as lowered the risk of pneumonia and other complications (P < .05). Furthermore, the vacuum external fixation group demonstrated notable improvements in vital capacity, tidal volume, blood-gas test results, and a shorter hospital length of stay.ConclusionsAccording to the study findings, vacuum external fixation appears to offer benefits to patients with multiple rib fractures, potentially reducing the risk of complications and improving overall clinical outcomes.© The Author(s) 2024. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of Fellowship of Postgraduate Medicine. All rights reserved. For permissions, please e-mail: journals.permissions@oup.com.

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