Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Haemothorax after rib fracture — Incidence, timing and prediction

  • Published:
Irish Journal of Medical Science Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Summary

TWO hundred and twenty cases of fractured ribs were retrospectively reviewed. Haemothorax developed in 30 cases (13.6%), its occurrence being delayed in 53% of cases. The age of the patient, mode of injury and the highest rib fractured had no bearing on which patients developed a haemothorax, but it occurred less frequently with anterior rib fractures. The greater the grade and number of ribs fractured, the more likely the occurrence of haemothorax, and these two variables can be used to predict which rib fracture victims are most likely to develop this complication.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  1. Schwartz, E. I., Shires, G. T., Spencer, E. H., eds. Principles of Surgery, 3rd ed., p. 649. McGraw-Hill, 1979.

  2. Kattan, K. R. What to look for in rib fractures and how. JAMA, Jan 18, 1980: 243, No. 3.

  3. Singh, N. K., Singh, R. J. Delayed haemothorax in chest injury. J. Indian MA. 1984: Vol. 82, No. 11.

  4. Philip, E. H., Rogers, W. F., Gaspar, M. R. First rib fractures: Incidence of vascular injury and indications for angiography. Surgery 1981: 89, 42–47.

    Google Scholar 

  5. Danher, J., Eyes, B. E., Kumar, K. Oblique rib views after blunt chest trauma: an unnecessary routine? BMJ, 1964: 289, 2171.

    Google Scholar 

  6. Poole, G. V., Myers, R. T. Morbidity and mortality rates in major blunt trauma to the upper chest. Ann. Surg. 1981: 193, 70–75.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  7. Editorial the Lancet. 1979; p. 291.

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Cork Regional Hospital, Wilton, Cork

    R. McLoughlin, R. Mulcahy, P. Kent, T. Al-Delamie & T. Aherne

Authors
  1. R. McLoughlin
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. R. Mulcahy
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. P. Kent
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. T. Al-Delamie
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  5. T. Aherne
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

McLoughlin, R., Mulcahy, R., Kent, P. et al. Haemothorax after rib fracture — Incidence, timing and prediction. I.J.M.S. 156, 117–119 (1987). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02954634

Download citation

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02954634

Keywords

Search

Navigation