Statements in which the resource exists as a subject.
PredicateObject
rdf:type
lifeskim:mentions
pubmed:issue
1
pubmed:dateCreated
1981-4-21
pubmed:abstractText
Forty-five consecutive patients with 49 fractures of the first rib caused by blunt trauma underwent arteriography. The fractures were classified as posterior, lateral, or anterior and as nondisplaced, minimally displaced, or significantly displaced. Seven patients (14%) had serious vascular injuries: five had posterior injuries, and one had a lateral fracture, and one had an anterior fracture. All seven had significantly displaced fractures. We postulate that vascular injury can result from a violent lever mechanism in which the posterior portion of the rib is displaced downward and the anterior portion is forced upward, pinching the contents of the thoracic outlet against the clavicle. Four patients with subclavian artery injury had clinical evidence of arterial insufficiency. Branchial plexus injury occurred only in association with vascular injury. These data suggest that only displaced first rib fractures, and in particular posterior displaced fractures, result in vascular injury. Arteriography is indicated if there is an absent pulse, a brachial plexus injury, or a displaced first rib fracture. Using these criteria all vascular injuries would be detected. The majority (78%) of the patients with first rib fractures could be managed without arteriography.
pubmed:language
eng
pubmed:journal
pubmed:citationSubset
AIM
pubmed:status
MEDLINE
pubmed:month
Jan
pubmed:issn
0039-6060
pubmed:author
pubmed:issnType
Print
pubmed:volume
89
pubmed:owner
NLM
pubmed:authorsComplete
Y
pubmed:pagination
42-7
pubmed:dateRevised
2004-11-17
pubmed:meshHeading
pubmed:year
1981
pubmed:articleTitle
First rib fractures: incidence of vascular injury and indications for angiography.
pubmed:publicationType
Journal Article