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Background: The primary aim of this study was to determine and compare the biomechanical properties of a fractured or intact rib after implant fixation on an embalmed thorax. Methods: Five systems were fixated on the bilateral fractured or intact (randomly allocated) 6th to 10th rib of five post-mortem embalmed human specimens. Each rib underwent a four-point bending test to determine the bending structural stiffness (Newton per m2), load to failure (Newton), failure mode, and the relative difference in bending structural stiffness and load to failure as compared to a non-fixated intact rib. Findings: As compared to a non-fixated intact rib, the relative difference in stiffness of a fixated intact rib ranged from −0.14 (standard deviation [SD], 0.10) to 0.53 (SD 0.35) and for a fixated fractured rib from −0.88 (SD 0.08) to 0.17 (SD 0.50). The most common failure mode was a new fracture at the most anterior drill hole for the plate and screw systems and a new fracture within the anterior portion of the implant for the clamping systems. Interpretation: The current fixation systems differ in their design, mode of action, and biomechanical properties. Differences in biomechanical properties such as stiffness and load to failure especially apply to fractured ribs. Insight in the differences between the systems might guide more specific implant selection and increase the surgeon's awareness for localizing hardware complaints or failure., Biomaterials & Tissue Biomechanics

BACKGROUND: The presence of six or more rib fractures or a displaced rib fracture due to cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) has been associated with longer hospital and intensive care unit (ICU) length of stay (LOS). Evidence on the effect of surgical stabilization of rib fractures (SSRF) following CPR is limited. This study aimed to evaluate outcomes after SSRF versus nonoperative management in patients with multiple rib fractures after CPR. METHODS: An international, retrospective study was performed in patients who underwent SSRF or nonoperative management for multiple rib fractures following CPR between January 1, 2012, and July 31, 2020. Patients who underwent SSRF were matched to nonoperative controls by cardiac arrest location and cause, rib fracture pattern, and age. The primary outcome was ICU LOS. RESULTS: Thirty-nine operatively treated patient were matched to 66 nonoperatively managed controls with comparable CPR-related characteristics. Patients who underwent SSRF more often had displaced rib fractures (n = 28 [72%] vs. n = 31 [47%]; p = 0.015) and a higher median number of displaced ribs (2 [P 25 -P 75 , 0-3] vs. 0 [P 25 -P 75 , 0-3]; p = 0.014). Surgical stabilization of rib fractures was performed at a median of 5 days (P 25 -P 75 , 3-8 days) after CPR. In the nonoperative group, a rib fixation specialist was consulted in 14 patients (21%). The ICU LOS was longer in the SSRF group (13 days [P 25 -P 75 , 9-23 days] vs. 9 days [P 25 -P 75 , 5-15 days]; p = 0.004). Mechanical ventilator-free days, hospital LOS, thoracic complications, and mortality were similar. CONCLUSION: Despite matching, those who underwent SSRF over nonoperative management for multiple rib fractures following CPR had more severe consequential chest wall injury and a longer ICU LOS. A benefit of SSRF on in-hospital outcomes could not be demonstrated. A low consultation rate for rib fixation in the nonoperative group indicates that the consideration to perform SSRF in this popula

Purpose: This study aimed to determine the long-term level of pain after surgical treatment of one or more symptomatic rib fracture nonunions. Secondary aims were to evaluate the occurrence of adverse events, satisfaction, and activity resumption. The final aim was to assess the association between pain and the presence of bridging callus at the nonunified fracture. Hypothesized was that thoracic pain would diminish after surgery. Methods: This retrospective case series included adults who underwent surgery for a symptomatic rib fracture nonunion from three hospitals. Symptomatic nonunion was defined as persistent pain associated with nonbridging callus of ≥1 rib fractures on a chest CT scan at ≥3 months after the initial injury. Patients completed questionnaires about pain, satisfaction, and activity resumption ≥3 months postoperatively. Results: Thirty-six patients (26 men, 10 women), with a median age of 55 (P25–P75 49–62) years and 169 acute rib fractures were included. Nonunion occurred in 98 (58%) fractures of which 70 (71%) were treated surgically. After a median of 11 months (P25–P75 7–21), 13 (36%) patients reported severe pain, in contrast to 26 (72%) preoperatively. Patients who underwent intercostal neurectomy or neurolysis in addition to surgical stabilization less often reported pain reduction. Twenty-six (72%) had postoperative complications, for which 12 (33%) underwent additional surgery, mostly for persistent pain. The majority (n = 27; 75%) was satisfied with their functional recovery. Of patients who had paid work pre-trauma, 65% had resumed working. Conclusion: Most patients reported less pain and better daily functioning after surgical stabilization of symptomatic rib fracture nonunions, although causality cannot be proven with this retrospective case series. Additional intercostal nerve treatment was not associated with pain relief. Despite surgery-related complications being common, patient satis