Retrospective analysis of patients with sternal fracture

Abstract

OBJECTIVES: Sternal fractures (SFs) are rare pathologies that mainly occur as a result of traffic accidents, which can cause mortality due to concomitant complications. In this study, we aimed to evaluate clinical processes and termination status of patients diagnosed with a SF in the emergency department. METHODOLOGY: Patients diagnosed with a SF in the emergency department during 8 years were retrospectively reviewed. The demographic and clinical characteristics of the patients were recorded, and standard data forms were created. RESULTS: In total, 128 patients were included in the study; 81 (63.3%) patients were male, and the mean age was 49.4 years. When the fracture mechanism was examined, car traffic accidents were the most common type and the cause of fracture in 85 (66.4%) patients. The most common thoracic pathology accompanying SFs was rib fractures (35.9%), and the most common extrathoracic pathology was cranial pathology (27.3%). Pericardial effusion was detected in 12 (9.4%) patients. Of the participating patients, one died and the others were hospitalized. CONCLUSION: Since SFs and associated complications can be life-threatening, emergency room physicians should consider it in the diagnosis. In particular, the necessary examinations and follow-up should be done to assess cardiac damage.

Sternal fractures and thoracic injury: an analysis of 288 sternal fractures attending a major trauma centre

“…Concomitant injuries alongside rib fractures such as haemothorax and lung contusions were more evident in their analysis of SF patients. [ 14 ] This evidence is also supported by Yakar et al [ 15 ] who identified that MVA was the most common mechanism of injury in their SF patients (66.4%, N = 128) and the most common thoracic pathology accompanying SFs was rib fractures (36%, N = 128). Despite the evidence displaying the prevalence of rib fractures and its associated risk in the context of SF, there is very little evidence to review regarding bilateral rib injury.…”

Management of Post-Traumatic Sternal Fractures in a West African Country: the Case of Niger

“…Les patients étaient pour la plupart de sexe masculin. L'âge moyen dans notre étude est en accord avec celui rapporté par plusieurs auteurs dans la littérature [5,8,9]. La symptomatologie est dominée par une douleur modérée à intense localisée au sternum, exacerbée par la toux ou les éternuements.…”

“…Le recours au scanner thoracique est nécessaire dans la plupart des cas pour la mise en évidence de la fracture du sternum et le bilan des lésions associées [11]. De nombreuses lésions associées peuvent accompagner les fractures de sternum avec des proportions qui diffèrent d'une étude à une autre [8,5,10]. Ces lésions peuvent aller de la simple fracture des côtes à une contusion pulmonaire voire un hémo-pneumothorax.…”

“…Ces anomalies à l'ECG ont été rapportées dans la série d'Uluşan et coll. ainsi que Yakar et coll., mais à des proportions différentes [8,12]. Ces anomalies sont consécutives à une vélocité importante des accidents à l'origine des fractures du sternum dans les différentes séries et pourraient engager le pronostic vital des patients à court terme, d'où la nécessité d'un bilan cardiaque systématique devant toute fracture du sternum.…”

A retrospective study on the cardiac assessment of isolated sternal fracture patients based on radiographic and clinical outcomes

“…However, Heidelberg, Uhlich [ 26 ] reported that displacement cannot predict fracture displacement and its severity. A recent study conducted by Yakar, Baykan [ 27 ] on 128 sternal fracture patients showed that car traffic accidents are the most common cause of these accidents. Localization of fracture was not associated with abnormal ECG findings in the study.…”