Work

Long-term outcomes after removal of rib stabilization hardware in patients with blunt chest trauma

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: PURPOSE: The study aim was to investigate the long-term outcomes after hardware removal (HR) in patients with blunt chest trauma. We hypothesized that HR might be beneficial in indicated patients to improve patient health. METHODS: We performed a retrospective single-center study between 2017 and 2023. Descriptive statistics were used for the analysis. One study-specific follow-up visit was conducted, 28 months (range 3-72) after HR. The study-specific health survey used, consisted of four functional dimensions (mobility, self-care, usual activities, mental health) and two symptom dimensions (thoracic pain, chest tightness) which were rated on a numerical scale and compared to the status before HR in four categories (much better to worse). RESULTS: Of the 28 patients, the average age was 59 years (range 29-83), 12 fractures (1-39) were fixed, and 4 implants (1-11) were used. The indications for HR were persistent thoracic pain (36%), discomfort (25%), chest tightness (21%), hardware dislocation (11%) and hardware infection (7%). HR was performed 18 months (5 days-104 months) after surgery for trauma. Patients with chest tightness and infection exhibited the greatest improvement in symptoms (75%), followed by those with hardware dislocation (61%). The improvement rate in the other 2 groups was 58%. All patients who experienced chest tightness, hardware dislocation and infection were completely satisfied and would undergo HR again. CONCLUSION: HR is safe and feasible, resulting in significant symptom relief and improvement in health status in approximately two-thirds of patients. In indicated patients, HR might be performed earlier and more liberally if symptoms are disabling. CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: NCT06003595 registered on July 18, 2023.

Source: European Journal of Trauma and Emergency Surgery

DOI: 10.1007/s00068-025-02858-y

Authors: Maria B. Svec, Helga Bachmann, Aljaz Hojski, Eric F. Macharia-Nimietz, Sandrine V. C. Dackam, Didier Lardinois

Institution: University Hospital of Basel

Language: English

Topic: Trauma Management and Diagnosis

Subfield: Surgery

Field: Medicine

Domain: Health Sciences

SDG: Good health and well-being

Open Access status: hybrid

Estimated APC paid: $2,490