Korean J Thorac Cardiovasc Surg.  1997 Oct;30(10):1010-1014.

Surgical Treatment of Traumatic Rib Fracture with Judet's Rib Struts

• Huh GB
• Kim DY
• Cho SR

Abstract

Judet's rib struts which are designed for osteosynthesis are made of stainless steel. This report describes clinical analysis of our experiences of 30 cases with the operative stabilization of multiple rib fractures with Judet's rib struts from December, 1995, to December, 1996 in Chungmoo Hospital, Chounan. Our indications for operative stabilization were as follows: 14 cases in flail chest, 8 cases in severe displacement of rib including segmental fractures, 7 cases in additional procedures during intrathoracic operation, and 1 case in other cause. Postoperative artificial ventilation is needed in only 1 case for 5 days and posto- perative complications were few: 2 cases of hemopneumothorax, 2 cases of alcohol with- drawal delirium, and 1 case of postoperative hepatitis. Average duration of hospital admission who have limited thoracic injuries was 10.5 days. Though more comparative studies is necessary, we find this technique to be better than previously published methods, since it provides better stabilization and immobilization of the ribs and shortening the duration of hospital admission.

Keyword

Rib struts

MeSH Terms

Delirium
Flail Chest
Hemopneumothorax
Hepatitis
Immobilization
Rib Fractures*
Ribs*
Stainless Steel
Thoracic Injuries
Ventilation
Stainless Steel