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. 2017 Jan 24;34(4):205–211. doi: 10.1136/emermed-2016-206077

Table 2.

Prevalence of significant intrathoracic and extrathoracic injuries in patients with first rib fractures compared with those with other fractures

First rib fracture
(n=1683)
Other rib fracture
(n=8369)
Prevalence of intrathoracic injuries, n (%)
Flail chest 449 (26.7) 1403 (16.8) p<0.001
Multiple rib fractures (≥3) 745 (44.3) 3698 (44.2) p=0.952
Lung injuries (AIS ≥3) 743 (44.1) 1850 (22.1) p<0.001
Vascular injuries (AIS ≥3) 39 (2.3) 67 (0.8) p<0.001
Thoracic aorta 23 (1.4) 53 (0.6) p<0.001
Heart/pericardium 27 (1.6) 41 (0.5) p<0.001
Prevalence of extrathoracic injuries, n (%)
Brain AIS ≥3 487 (28.9) 1049 (12.5) p<0.001
Cervical spine AIS ≥3 111 (6.6) 128 (1.5) p<0.001
Thoracic spine AIS ≥3 113 (6.7) 240 (2.9) p<0.001
Liver AIS ≥3 68 (4) 145 (1.7) p<0.001
Spleen AIS ≥3 57 (3.4) 226 (2.7) p=0.120
Pelvic ring AIS ≥3 146 (8.7) 350 (4.2) p<0.001
Brachial plexus 18 (1.1) 16 (0.2) p<0.001

AIS, Abbreviated Injury Score.