Introduction/Objective Rib fractures are common in blunt chest trauma (BTC)
and when they are associated with pleural complications (PC) - pneumothorax,
hemothorax and hemopneumothorax the treatment of these patients is prolonged
and difficult. Without the ability to predict PC after rib fractures in BTC,
most doctors are forced to initially treat these patients through
observation and conservative treatment. The goal of this research is to
determine which of the investigated biomarkers of inflammation - fibrinogen,
IL-6 and CRP are significantly associated with the occurrence of PC after
rib fracture in BCT, which would be used in stratifying patients for
hospitalization and further treatment. Methods The prospective study
included 90 patients with rib fractures caused by BTC. The test group
comprised 45 patients with rib fractures and the presence of PC, and the
control group consisted of 45 patients with rib fractures without PC. Blood
sampling was performed on admission, on the second, third and fifth day
after the injury, and PC were monitored until the seventh day after the
injury. Results Serum values of IL-6 on the second day and fibrinogen and
CRP on the second and third day after injury were statistically
significantly higher in patients with PC, and IL-6 showed a good
discriminative ability in assessing the occurrence of PC on the second day
after a rib fracture in BTC. Conclusion The investigated biomarkers of
inflammation - fibrinogen, IL-6 and CRP can be used as predictors of PC
after rib fracture in BTC, and their application can significantly replace
clinical observation.