Rib fractures are a common condition following trauma with a reported incidence of up to 10% in trauma in general, and up to 39% in blunt chest trauma. Traumatic rib fractures are associated with significant morbidity and mortality, and mortality rates reaching 10-16% has been reported. An estimated one third of patients with traumatic rib fractures develop secondary pulmonary complications with an associated mortality rate as high as 65% . Pain is recognized as a contributing factor to adverse outcome in traumatic rib fractures due to pain-induced inadequate respiratory efforts leading to atelectasis, difficulties in clearing secretions and an increased risk of developing pneumonia. Consequently, adequate analgesia is considered a core intervention in the management of patients with traumatic rib fractures.
There are a variety of ways to manage a patient's pain. Oral analgesic drugs and regional modes are more likely to be used .
Regional analgesia is often supplemented with a small dose of either NSAIDs or opioids and pain reduction is typically strong and immediate. There is little sedation, so evaluation of head and abdominal injuries is easier. A major disadvantage is the technical complexity of the procedures, leading to occasional errors in the administering of the treatments. They can also be painful while the needle is entering (or catheter is being installed), toxicity is a possibility, and the patients require more intensive monitoring and care by the physicians and nurses. There are a variety of modes; the four most common are TEA, thoracic paravertebral block, intercostal block, and intrapleural block. This study focuses on thoracic epidural analgesia.
Narcotic infusions and continuous local anesthetic can be delivered through thoracic or lumbar epidural catheters. Opioid receptors exist in the spinal cord that can alter the perception of pain without needing stimulation of receptors in the brain. After inserting the catheter into this area, local anesthetics and narcotics are administered, blocking the anterior and posterior nerve roots crossing this space. The anesthetic/analgesic agents diffuse across the dura and begin to block sensory nerves. Motor nerves are affected to a lesser degree. It takes a large dose to achieve the desired effect.
