Year: 2026
Type: editorial
Abstract: Rib fractures are known to cause significant morbidity in the trauma population.1 2 Due to the varying outcomes of patients with rib fractures, Djanie et al aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of a rib fracture treatment protocol (RFTP) on patient outcomes.3 Traditionally, management of rib fractures focused on addressing the sequelae that came from an initial pulmonary insult.4 To minimize the morbidity from these delayed complications, patients require coordinated multidisciplinary care, including aggressive pulmonary toiletry, pain control, respiratory therapy, and admission to the intensive care unit.5 Additionally, the ability to appropriately triage this patient population remains challenging. Due to the indolent nature of pulmonary contusions often accompanying rib fractures, it may take 48–72 hours for this injury to fully ‘blossom.’6 To combat this, many trauma centers, including those within the Johns Hopkins University system, use a decision-support tool to help standardize the triage of such patients.6 The authors of this paper were able to identify several interventions previously independently shown to improve outcomes, and integrate them into a treatment pathway for patients with rib fractures.
Source: Trauma Surgery & Acute Care Open
Authors: Valentine S Alia, Shariq Raza
Institutions: Johns Hopkins University, Johns Hopkins Medicine
Language: English
Subfield: Surgery
Field: Medicine
Domain: Health Sciences
Open Access status: gold
Estimated APC paid: $2,100
OpenAlex ID: W7222625365