Iatrogenic rib fractures and the associated risks of mortality

PURPOSE: Rib fractures, though typically associated with blunt trauma, can also result from complications of medical or surgical care, including cardiopulmonary resuscitation. The purpose of this study is to describe the demographics and outcomes of iatrogenic rib fractures. METHODS: Patients with rib fractures were identified in the 2016 National Inpatient Sample. Mechanism of injury was defined as blunt traumatic rib fracture (BTRF) or iatrogenic rib fracture (IRF). IRF was identified as fractures from the following mechanisms: complications of care, drowning, suffocation, and poisoning. Differences between BTRF and IRF were compared using rank-sum test, chi-square test, and multivariable regression. RESULTS: 34,644 patients were identified: 33,464 BTRF and 1,180 IRF. IRF patients were older and had higher rates of many comorbid medical disorders. IRF patients were more likely to have flail chest (6.1% vs 3.1%, p