Podcast 639: Rib Fractures in the Elderly

Contributor: Aaron Lessen, MD

Educational Pearls:

• Retrospective review of 5,021 patients over 65 with 2 or more rib fractures recently published
• 3577 (78 %) were admitted to non-ICU setting
• 1.1% of these patients had unexpected intubation or ICU transfer
• Findings raise questions regarding current guidelines for ICU admission in elderly patients with isolated rib fractures

References

Naar L, El Hechi MW, van Erp IA, Mashbari HNA, Fawley J, Parks JJ, Fagenholz PJ, King DR, Mendoza AE, Velmahos GC, Kaafarani HMA, Saillant NN. Isolated rib cage fractures in the elderly: Do all patients belong to the intensive care unit? A retrospective nationwide analysis. J Trauma Acute Care Surg. 2020 Dec;89(6):1039-1045. doi: 10.1097/TA.0000000000002891. PMID: 32697447.

Summarized by John Spartz, MS3 | Edited by Erik Verzemnieks, MD