The Rule of Sternal Fractures in Life-Threatening Blunt-Chest-Trauma : Treatment and Indications for Operative Stabilization

Road traffic accidents frequently result in blunt-force thoracic and concomitant injuries including flail-chest and pulmonary fail. The severity and type of injury determines the treatment modalities and prognosis. We report the case of a 56-yearold car driver, who suffered a complex thoracic trauma following a frontal collision. His life-threatening injuries included a dislocated sternum fracture, multiple rib fractures and thoracic-spinal fracture as well as cardio-pulmonary contusion with bilateral haemopneumothorax (Injury Severity Score 35). We discuss the operative chest-wall strategies in context with pulmonary considerations and the literature.

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