Characteristics of the Sternal Fractures and Associated Injuries: A Three-year Clinical Experience Sternal Fractures and Associated Injuries
Abstract
Background
Although they constitute a small portion of thoracic trauma, sternal fractures require attention as they may be indicators of major cardiac injuries. The aim of this study is to review the diagnosis, treatment, and outcome of such patients administered to our emergency department.
Material and Methods
The archive files of the patients administered to the emergency department due to thoracic trauma and diagnosed to have sternal fractures between January 2015 and December 2017 were reviewed for age, gender, type of trauma, type of injury, associated injuries, and clinical outcome.
Results
There were 27 male, and 6 female patients. The mean age was 48.9 ± 16.50 years (20-79). The most frequent cause was vehicle accident. The sternal fracture was isolated in 13, and associated with other injuries in 20 patients. Eight of the isolated fracture patients and all of the latter were hospitalized. Six of the patients underwent tube thoracostomy, one bilateral. When the length of hospital stay is compared between the two groups, sternal fracture with associated injury patients stayed in the hospital for significantly longer periods.
Conclusion
Although isolated sternal fracture is benign in nature and may be treated with basic measures, when associated with other injuries, it becomes more complicated to treat, and the length of hospital stay increases significantly.
Keywords
References
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Details
Primary Language
English
Subjects
Health Care Administration
Journal Section
Research Article
Authors
Emine Kadioglu
*
0000-0003-0950-0477
Türkiye
Serhat Yalcinkaya
This is me
0000-0001-9387-1777
Türkiye
Publication Date
October 23, 2019
Submission Date
December 20, 2018
Acceptance Date
September 26, 2019
Published in Issue
Year 2019 Volume: 11 Number: 3


