Surgical Stabilization of Rib Fractures (SSRF) in Isolated Thoracic Trauma: A Topography-Driven Approach and Indications Based on Ventilatory Mechanics

Abstract

Introduction: Primary indications for Surgical Stabilization of Rib Fractures (SSRF) historically prioritize high fracture counts or flail chest patterns. This study evaluates a topography-driven strategy, assessing the clinical impact of SSRF on fractures directly compromising ventilatory mechanics, regardless of the absolute number of fractured ribs. Materials and Methods: We conducted a monocentric retrospective comparative study of 73 patients admitted for isolated thoracic trauma between January 2017 and December 2021. Patients were evaluated within two main arms: an SSRF intervention group (n = 45) and a conservative medical management group (n = 21). All surgical patients underwent preoperative 3D-CT bone reconstructions and primary Video-Assisted Thoracoscopic Surgery (VATS) lavage. Polytrauma and initial Intensive Care Unit (ICU) admissions were excluded. Formal statistical comparisons were performed utilizing Student’s t-tests, Mann-Whitney U tests, and Fisher’s exact tests. Results: Baseline demographics were comparable between groups. In the SSRF group, 92% of patients were operated on early (≤ 72 hours). Fractures predominantly involved the lower chest wall (6th to 11th ribs, 84.4%). Compared to the conservative group, the SSRF group demonstrated significantly lower postoperative pain at week 2 (Mean VAS score: 3.2 ± 0.8 vs. 5.8 ± 1.2, p < 0.01), a significantly shorter mean hospital length of stay (5.0 ± 1.2 days vs. 6.8 ± 1.5 days, p < 0.05), and a significantly faster mean time to resume normal daily activities (24 ± 4 days vs. 28 ± 5 days, p < 0.05). Secondary pleural infection rates were significantly lower in patients undergoing primary surgery compared to those managed with standard tube drainage alone (0% vs 57.1%, p < 0.01). Hardware-related complications requiring reoperation occurred in 4.4% of cases (n = 2). Conclusion: In isolated thoracic trauma, a proactive, topography-driven SSRF protocol targeting ribs critical to ventilatory mechanics is strongly associated with expedited pain relief, minimized secondary pleural morbidity, and accelerated functional recovery.