The Unstable Thoracic Cage Injury

Study Overview
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Brief Summary
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Analysis of patient data and computed tomography scan of polytraumatized patients thoracic spine fractures A concomitant sternal fracture was identified an indicator for an unstable thoracic spine fracture

Detailed Description
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Previous studies stated, that sternal fractures can be regarded as an indicator for thoracic spine fractures and described the combined injury pattern of thoracic spine fracture and sternal fracture as upper thoracic cage injury. But literature research is lacking data that in patients with a thoracic cage injury a highly unstable thoracic spine fracture can be expected. In a large cohort of 130 patients with a thoracic spine fracture and concomitant sternal fracture the investigators analyzed the injury pattern and evaluated associated injuries, trauma mechanism, and clinical outcome. The investigators could prove that in patients with a thoracic cage injury the concomitant sternal fracture may be regarded as an indicator for an unstable thoracic spine fracture, which requires surgical stabilization. Furthermore the analysis revealed that even a highly rotationally unstable type C fracture has to be expected, if sternal and thoracic spine fractures are located in the same segment.

Official Title
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The Unstable Thoracic Cage Injury: The Concomitant Sternal Fracture Indicates a Severe Thoracic Spine Fracture

Conditions
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Thoracic Spine Fracture, Concomitant Sternal Fracture

Participation Criteria
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Eligibility Criteria
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Inclusion Criteria: Sternal fracture and concomitant thoracic spine fracture Injury Severity Scale ≥ 16 Age under 50 years Presence of a whole body computed-tomography (CT-scan) performed at admission of the patient to the hospital Exclusion Criteria: Missing consent Incomplete patient data

Ages Eligible for Study
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Minimum Age: 18 Years
Maximum Age: 49 Years

Sexes Eligible for Study
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All

Accepts Healthy Volunteers
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No

Study Plan
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How is the study designed?
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Arms and Interventions

| Participant Group/Arm | Intervention/Treatment |
| --- | --- |
| Study group<br>Inclusion criteria for the study were (a) sternal fracture and concomitant thoracic spine fracture, (b) Injury Severity scale (ISS) ≥ 16, (c) age under 50 years, (d) presence of a whole body computed-tomography (CT-scan) performed at admission of the patient to the hospital. | |
| Control group<br>The inclusion criteria for the control group included: (a) Thoracic spine fracture without concomitant sternal fracture, (b) ISS ≥ 16, (c) age under 50 years, (d) presence of a whole body computed-tomography (CT-scan) performed at admission of the patient to the hospital. | |

What is the study measuring?
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Primary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Survival | Patient survival after polytraumatization | 1 year after trauma | 

 Terms related to the study
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Keywords Provided by Centre Hospitalier Valida
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Sternal fracture, Thoracic spine fracture, Thoracic cage injury