Statements in which the resource exists as a subject.
PredicateObject
rdf:type
lifeskim:mentions
pubmed:issue
1
pubmed:dateCreated
1994-8-11
pubmed:abstractText
We reviewed the records of 28 patients with sternal fractures. Seat belts were used by 79% of the patients. Pain and tenderness were the most common complaints. Forty-six percent of patients had associated injuries, which were all evident in the emergency room. Seven patients had rib fractures, six had myocardial contusion, and five had pulmonary contusions. The associated injuries determined the outcome: 2 patients died, 2 required rehabilitation, the rest recovered uneventfully. Mean length of stay (LOS) was 8.17 +/- 1.78 days, but the median LOS was 4 days, and 75% stayed a week or less. The sternal fracture was treated with rest and analgesics. We conclude that sternal fractures are benign and do not require special treatment or an expensive work-up. It is possible that the seat belt and the sternal fracture absorb a substantial part of the energy transfer, and prevent greater damage.
pubmed:commentsCorrections
pubmed:language
eng
pubmed:journal
pubmed:citationSubset
AIM
pubmed:status
MEDLINE
pubmed:month
Jul
pubmed:issn
0022-5282
pubmed:author
pubmed:issnType
Print
pubmed:volume
37
pubmed:owner
NLM
pubmed:authorsComplete
Y
pubmed:pagination
59-61
pubmed:dateRevised
2005-11-17
pubmed:meshHeading
pubmed:year
1994
pubmed:articleTitle
Sternal fractures: a red flag or a red herring?
pubmed:affiliation
Dept. of Surgery A, Soroka Medical Center, Beer-Sheva, Israel.
pubmed:publicationType
Journal Article