Comparative Analysis of the Efficacy of Thoracoscopic Intrathoracic Fixation Versus Traditional Thoracotomy for Multiple Rib Fractures
Objective To explore the clinical efficacy of video-assisted thoracoscopic intrathoracic fixation in the treatment of multiple rib fractures.Methods Clinical data of 93 cases of multiple rib fractures in our department from August 2019 to April 2022 were retrospectively compared.They were divided into thoracoscopic group(n=50)and traditional group(n=43)according to surgical methods.In the thoracoscopic group,the memory alloy rib plate was used for thoracoscopic intrathoracic fixation,and in the traditional group,the memory alloy rib plate was used for traditional thoracotomy to treat multiple rib fractures.The operation time,intraoperative blood loss,postoperative hospital stay,postoperative catheter duration,postoperative pain time,postoperative drainage volume,and postoperative complications were compared between the two groups.Results As compared with the traditional group,the thoracoscopic group had significantly shorter operation time[(96.1±24.7)min vs.(110.2±29.1)min,t=-2.526,P=0.013],less intraoperative blood loss[(76.0±38.4)ml vs.(140.2±80.8)ml,t=-4.767,P=0.000],shorter postoperative catheter duration[(3.9±1.6)d vs.(6.2±1.8)d,t=-2.739,P=0.008],less postoperative drainage volume[(132.4±53.9)ml vs.(157.9±50.5)ml,t=-2.345,P=0.021],shorter postoperative hospital stay[(5.8±2.5)d vs.(9.7±2.5)d,t=-4.397,P=0.000],and shorter pain time[(4.9±1.2)d vs.(5.8±1.4)d,t=-2.199,P=0.030].The incidence of postoperative pneumonia,atelectasis,and pleural effusion in the thoracoscopic group was significantly lower than that in the traditional group(P<0.05).Follow-ups at 1,3,and 12 months after surgery showed that the rib plate was firmly fixed without any displacement,deformation,or detachment.Conclusion Video-assisted thoracoscopic intrathoracic fixation in the treatment of multiple rib fractures has advantages of less trauma,less pain,faster recovery,and definite clinical results,which is worthy of clinical application and promotion.