Revista de la Facultad de Ciencias Médicas
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Rev Fac Cien Med Univ Nac Cordoba · Jan 2003
[Diagnostic and therapeutic options for traumatic sternal fractures].
Sternal fractures are uncommon injuries observed in the direct impact of the sternum against the steering wheel in car accidents with the likelihood of associated thoracic injuries. ⋯ Sternal fracture should be suspected in patients with anterior chest trauma from road accidents. A lateral x-ray of the sternum is useful in fracture evaluation. Possible associated thoracic Injuries need to be necessarily evaluated. Osteosintesis should be performed on patients with bony deformity and severe pain, while for stable, not displaced or conminuted fractures, pain relief should be performed.