Incidence
10% of all multitraumas
Issues
Alters mechanics of ventilation / causes respiratory compromise
- significant morbidity 33%
- significant mortality 12%
Surgical Fixation
Swart et al J Orthop Trauma 2017
- meta-analysis of surgical fixation
- decreased mortality
- decrease mechanical ventilation times
- decreased ICU and hospital sty
- decreased rates of pneumonia and tracheostomy