Table 3.
In-hospital complications after rib fixation
| In-hospital complications | Flail chest (n,%) | Multiple rib fractures (n,%) |
|---|---|---|
| n = 47 | n = 53 | |
| Pneumonia | 26 (39) | 32 (32) |
| Excess pleural fluid | 3 (4.5) | 3 (3) |
| Implant-related infection | 2 (3) | 3 (3) |
| Hemothorax | 2 (3) | 2 (2) |
| Pneumothorax | 2 (3) | 2 (2) |
| Tension pneumothorax | 1 (1) | 2 (2) |
| ARDS | 2 (3) | 3 (3) |
| Postoperative bleeding | 1 (1.5) | 1 (1) |
| Wound infection | 1 (1.5) | 0 (0) |
| Pleural empyema | 1 (1.5) | 0 (0) |
| Hematoma | 0 (0) | 1 (1) |
| Revision of dislocated splints | 0 (0) | 1 (1) |
| In-hospital mortality | 6 (9) | 3 (3) |
ARDS acute respiratory distress syndrome