The Unstable Thoracic Cage Injury

BG Unfallklinik

Status: Completed

Conditions: Thoracic Spine Fracture; Concomitant Sternal Fracture

Study type: Observational

Funder types: Other

Identifiers

NCT02514993

10-2004-2013

Details and patient eligibility

About

• Analysis of patient data and computed tomography scan of polytraumatized patients thoracic spine fractures
• A concomitant sternal fracture was identified an indicator for an unstable thoracic spine fracture

Full description

Previous studies stated, that sternal fractures can be regarded as an indicator for thoracic spine fractures and described the combined injury pattern of thoracic spine fracture and sternal fracture as "upper thoracic cage injury". But literature research is lacking data that in patients with a thoracic cage injury a highly unstable thoracic spine fracture can be expected.

In a large cohort of 130 patients with a thoracic spine fracture and concomitant sternal fracture the investigators analyzed the injury pattern and evaluated associated injuries, trauma mechanism, and clinical outcome.

The investigators could prove that in patients with a thoracic cage injury the concomitant sternal fracture may be regarded as an indicator for an unstable thoracic spine fracture, which requires surgical stabilization. Furthermore the analysis revealed that even a highly rotationally unstable type C fracture has to be expected, if sternal and thoracic spine fractures are located in the same segment.

Enrollment: 130 patients

Sex: All

Ages: 18 to 49 years old

Volunteers: No Healthy Volunteers

Inclusion criteria

• Sternal fracture and concomitant thoracic spine fracture
• Injury Severity Scale ≥ 16
• Age under 50 years
• Presence of a whole body computed-tomography (CT-scan) performed at admission of the patient to the hospital

Exclusion criteria

• Missing consent
• Incomplete patient data

Trial design

130 participants in 2 patient groups

Study group

Description:

Inclusion criteria for the study were (a) sternal fracture and concomitant thoracic spine fracture, (b) Injury Severity scale (ISS) ≥ 16, (c) age under 50 years, (d) presence of a whole body computed-tomography (CT-scan) performed at admission of the patient to the hospital.

Control group

Description:

The inclusion criteria for the control group included: (a) Thoracic spine fracture without concomitant sternal fracture, (b) ISS ≥ 16, (c) age under 50 years, (d) presence of a whole body computed-tomography (CT-scan) performed at admission of the patient to the hospital.