Comparative Evaluation of External Chest Wall Fixator Treatment Effectiveness in Patients With Rib Fractures

Basis of treatment for rib fractures is pain control and physiotherapy. External chest wall fixators may provide a new approach as part of multimodal treatment. This study aimed to investigate the effect of external chest wall fixator on patients' pain level, complication development and hospital stay in patients with rib fractures. Patients who were admitted due to trauma and had serial rib fractures were evaluated. There were 14 patients in case group and 20 in control group. Standard treatment was applied to the control group. External chest wall fixator was applied to the case group in addition to standard treatment. Pain levels of the patients, development of complications and duration of hospitalization were recorded. Pain levels of the patients were evaluated using the Visual Analogue Scale and the pain level was scored between 0 and 10.