Clinical Study of the U-Plate Fracture Repair System to Treat Rib Fractures

Rib fractures are a painful and disabling injury commonly found among trauma patients. According to the National Center for Health Statistics, approximately 300,000 people with rib fractures were treated in emergency and ambulatory care departments in the United States in the year 2004. Rib fracture patients are significantly more disabled at 30 days post-injury than patients with chronic medical illness and lose an average of 70 days of work or usual activity during their acute recovery. The rationale for conducting this study is to demonstrate in a prospective study that the U-plate repair system is durable and safe. Although this clinical outcome data is not required by the FDA to market and implant this prosthesis, the investigators believe that in order for the U-plate to be widely accepted, prospectively collected outcome data are necessary. With the goal of improving the durability of fixation of rib fractures over the techniques currently available and with the additional goal of developing a minimally invasive technique, a U-shaped plate was developed. The design of the U-plate theoretically overcomes the inherent softness of the human rib by grasping the rib over its superior margin and by securing the plate with anterior to posterior locking screws that do not rely on screw purchase in bone. Thus much of the strength and durability of the fixation is transferred from the relatively soft rib to the plate itself.