Hostname: page-component-78c5997874-94fs2 Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-11-13T05:49:09.220Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false
  • English
  • Français

Rib fractures following minor trauma in older patients: a not-so-benign injury

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  21 May 2015

Sam G. Campbell  and
Margaret A. Dingle
Sam G. Campbell*
Affiliation:
Department of Emergency Medicine, New Halifax Infirmary, HalifaxNS
Margaret A. Dingle
Affiliation:
Department of Emergency Medicine, New Halifax Infirmary, HalifaxNS
*
Department of Emergency Medicine, New Halifax Infirmary, 1796 Summer St., Halifax NS B3H 3A7; EMSGC@qe2-hsc.ns.ca

Abstract

Core share and HTML view are not available for this content. However, as you have access to this content, a full PDF is available via the ‘Save PDF’ action button.

Two older adults presented to the emergency department with rib fractures following minor trauma. Both were discharged on oral analgesics and died within 2 days. Rib fractures more often lead to adverse outcomes in older adults. Emergency physicians should consider admitting any such patient who presents with two or more rib fractures.

Keywords

minor traumarib fracturesolder adultsgeriatriccomplications
Type
Case Report • Observations
Information
Canadian Journal of Emergency Medicine , Volume 2 , Issue 1 , January 2000 , pp. 32 - 34
Copyright
Copyright © Canadian Association of Emergency Physicians 2000

References

1.Mayberry, JC, Trunkey, DD.The fractured rib in chest trauma. Chest Surg Clin N Am 1997;7:239–61.Google Scholar
2.Thompson, BM, Finger, W, Tonsfeldt, D, Aphrahamian, C, Troiano, P, Hendley, G, et al. Rib radiographs for trauma: Useful or wasteful? Ann Emerg Med 1986;15:261–5.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
3.Shorr, RM, Rodriguez, A, Indeck, MC, Crittenden, MD, Hartunian, S, Cowley, RA.Blunt chest trauma in the elderly. J Trauma 1987;29:234–7.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
4.Ross, RM, Cordoba, A.Delayed life-threatening hemothorax associated with rib fractures. J Trauma 1986;26:576–8.Google Scholar
5.Simon, BJ, Chu, Q, Emhoff, TA, Fiallo, VM, Lee, KF.Delayed hemothorax after blunt thoracic trauma: an uncommon entity with significant morbidity. J Trauma 1998;45:673–6.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
6.Pate, JW.Chest wall injuries. Surg Clin N Amer 1989;69:59–70.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
7.Evans, R.Trauma and falls. In: Sanders, AB, editor. Emergency care of the elder person. Philadelphia: Society for Academic Emergency Medicine, Beverly Cracom Publications; 1996. p. 153–70.Google Scholar
8.Dubinski, I, Low, A.Non-life-threatening blunt chest trauma: appropriate investigation and treatment. Am J Emer Med 1997;15:240–3.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
9.Levy, DB, Hanlon, DP, Townsend, RN.Geriatric trauma. Clin Geriatric Med 1993;9:601–20.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
10.Oreskovich, MR, Howard, JD, Copass, MK, Carrico, CJ.Geriatric trauma: injury pattern and outcome. J Trauma 1984;24:565–72.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
11.DeMaria, EJ, Kenney, PR, Merriam, MA, Casanova, LA, Gann, DS.Survival after trauma in geriatric patients. Ann Surg 1987; 206:738–43.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
12.Symbas, PN, Gott, JP.Delayed sequelae of thoracic trauma. Surg Clin N Am 1989;69:135–41.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
13.Fein, AM.Pneumonia in the elderly. Med Clin N Am 1994; 78:1015–34.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed