Evidence map›Paper›PMID 40042638›Full record

Observational studyEuropean journal of trauma and emergency surgery : official publication of the European Trauma Society2025

Surgical stabilization of posterior rib fractures involving the costotransverse joint.

Astrid Carolina Álvarez-Ortega, Jose Alejandro Posso-Nuñez, Nicolás Felipe Torres-España, Carlos Alejandro García-González, Álvaro I Sánchez-Ortiz, Mauricio Velásquez-Galvis

Abstract readObservational Study
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Observational study in European journal of trauma and emergency surgery : official publication of the European Trauma Society, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.

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1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

0 citing papers in PubMed.

No citing paper in PubMed yet.

4 · The record

Corrections and comments

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5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

6 authors.

Astrid Carolina Álvarez-OrtegaClinical Research Center, Fundación Valle del Lili, Cra 98 No. 18-49, Cali, 760032, Colombia.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0001-7703-5883
Jose Alejandro Posso-NuñezClinical Research Center, Fundación Valle del Lili, Cra 98 No. 18-49, Cali, 760032, Colombia.ORCID http://orcid.org/0009-0008-3020-5062
Nicolás Felipe Torres-EspañaThoracic Surgery Fellowship program, Universidad El Bosque, Av. Cra. 9 No. 131A-02, Bogotá, 110121, Colombia.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0002-8420-5550
Carlos Alejandro García-GonzálezDepartment of Radiology and Diagnostic Imaging, Fundación Valle del Lili, Cra 98 No. 18-49, Cali, 760032, Colombia.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0002-5574-802X
Álvaro I Sánchez-OrtizDepartment of Surgery, General Thoracic Surgery division, Fundación Valle del Lili, Cra 98 No. 18 - 49, Cali, 760032, Colombia.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0001-6199-3358
Mauricio Velásquez-GalvisDepartment of Surgery, General Thoracic Surgery division, Fundación Valle del Lili, Cra 98 No. 18 - 49, Cali, 760032, Colombia. mauricio.velasquez@fvl.org.co.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0002-2307-3670

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

purposeSurgical stabilization of posterior rib fractures involving the costotransverse joint is debated, with most patients managed non-operatively. However, surgery may be indicated for respiratory failure due to altered mechanics or severe pain leading to functional limitations. Long-term outcomes related to quality of life and pulmonary function in these patients are underreported. This study aimed to describe our unique experience with the surgical stabilization of posterior rib fractures involving the costotransverse joint and to report the associated outpatient clinical outcomes.

methodsAn observational descriptive study was conducted at a tertiary care institution in Colombia during 2020-2024. Patients with posterior rib fractures involving the costotransverse joint who underwent surgery were included. Data collected included demographics, trauma severity, and complication rates. Primary outcomeswere mortality, postoperative complications, and implant failure.

resultsEleven patients were included, with a median age of 42 years (interquartile range [IQR] 35-53). The median Injury Severity Score was 26 [IQR 21-35]. The median hospital length of stay was 13 days [IQR 10-17], Intensive care unit stay was 7 days [IQR 4-10], and invasive mechanical ventilation duration was 4 days [IQR 3-4]. One patient (9.1%) experienced a postoperative surgical site infection. Pulmonary function tests revealed a median forced vital capacity at 66% of the predicted value [IQR: 63-73%] and a median forced expiratory volume in the first second at 65% of the predicted value [IQR: 64-70%]. Quality of life assessments indicated acceptable outcomes, with a median score of 60 points [IQR 50-75].

conclusionSurgical stabilization of posterior rib fractures involving the costotransverse joint is feasible and yields favorable outcomes, overcoming many technical hurdles. Larger studies with standardized follow-up are needed to validate these findings and establish definitive management guidelines.

Indexed as

Fracture Fixation, InternalRib FracturesAdultColombiaFemaleHumansInjury Severity ScoreLength of StayMaleMiddle AgedPostoperative ComplicationsQuality of LifeCostotransverse fracturesCostotransverse jointPosterior rib fracturesThoracic surgery

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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.