Evaluation of Rib Fractures due to Trauma

Introduction and Aim: We aimed to evaluate the one-year mortality rates and the effect of comorbid diseases on mortality in patients with trauma and isolated rib fractures.

Materials and Methods: Ninety patients who had trauma, isolated rib fracture between January 2016 and December 2016 and could be reached after one year after the trauma were included in the study. The files of the patients were scanned retrospectively. Age, gender, and length of hospital stay were recorded. After one-year follow-up, they were

contacted by phone to evaluate the rates of additional disease and mortality.

Results: 27 of the patients were female (30%), 63 of them were male (70%). Regarding the causes of injury, there were falls in 42 patients at most and in-vehicle traffic accidents in 35 patients. The mean age was 56.85 ± 16.33, the mean hospital stay was 4.04 ± 4.55 days. The most common comorbidities were diabetes mellitus in 13 patients and hypertension in 11 patients. The least detected additional diseases are; Ulcerative colitis, epilepsy, arrhythmia, gastroesophageal reflux, gastrointestinal bleeding, rheumatism, Alzheimer and Familial Mediterranean Fever in 1 patient each. One patient died who had gastrointestinal bleeding. Mortality rate was 1.11%.

Conclusions: Post-traumatic rib fractures disrupt people's quality of life and cause morbidity and mortality. Although the risk of comorbid mortality increases, close follow-up is important in preventing or reducing mortality rates.