Commentary: The complete cardiothoracic surgeon: Give me a rib plate.

Richard S. Lazzaro, MD, FACS, and Byron Patton, MD

Rib fractures secondary to blunt chest trauma are a cause of acute and chronic morbidity. The time to consider expanded indications for rib fixation is now.

See Article page 375.

In the current issue of the Journal, Nakamoto and colleagues describe the presentation and management of a patient who developed shoulder pain and discomfort with abduction 6 years after blunt trauma with multiple rib fractures, which were treated conservatively. Based on presentation, physical findings, and radiographic findings, snapping scapula syndrome was diagnosed. Surgical intervention and rib plating were performed, with resolution of symptoms.

Rib fractures occur in approximately 10% of trauma patients and 30% of patients with severe chest trauma., The 2017 practice guideline from the Eastern Association for the Surgery of Trauma recommends operative fixation “in adult patients with flail chest after blunt trauma … compared to nonoperative management, to decrease mortality; shorten DMV, ICU LOS, and hospital LOS; incidence of pneumonia, and need for tracheostomy.” Indications listed by Mitchell in a comprehensive review of rib stabilization in blunt chest trauma are “acute respiratory failure attributable to fractures and refractory to medical management, acute pain attributable to fractures and refractory to medical management, anticipated chronic pain/impaired pulmonary mechanics (anatomic considerations), flail chest: 3 or more contiguous ribs with 2+ fractures, ≥3 severely displaced, bicortical fractures, loss of ≥30% chest wall volume, exposure required for additional thoracic procedures.”

Long-term follow-up after rib fixation for flail chest as well as multiple rib fractures, by Beks and colleagues, reports that one half of the patients will experience implant-related pain and about 10% will require implant removal. In a cohort of 78 patients with rib fractures identified on initial computed tomography scan and followed up with subsequent computed tomography imaging (median time 6 days), Bauman and colleagues noted that rib fracture displacement worsened over time.

Operative intervention healed the patient of Nakamoto and colleagues, which brings to a mind a quote from Dr Frank Spencer, “When a patient gets well his doctor ‘feels’ good—a personal warm glow that tells him once again what being a doctor is. This pleasure never dulls with age or time, but remains vital and strong after decades of practice. ‘Becoming a doctor’ is acquiring this ability to help a sick person get better. It is one of the most precious skills one can acquire in a lifetime.” I am also reminded of Dr Joseph I. Miller Jr, who discussed “Why I Chose Cardiothoracic Surgery.” Dr Miller listed 13 qualities of the complete cardiothoracic surgeon, which he had discussed during his presidential address, “The Complete Cardiothoracic Surgeon: Qualities of Excellence” at the Southern Thoracic Surgical Association in 2003. Five of those 13 qualities of the complete cardiothoracic surgeon are listed to follow:

“An excellent technical surgeon with good judgment

An excellent radiologist

Have knowledge of new surgical technology

Be adaptable

Have a historical knowledge of the specialty.”

Nakamoto and colleagues demonstrated that patient evaluation with radiology guidance resulted in sound patient selection for surgery, with a satisfactory outcome. Perhaps the time has come to evaluate patients with rib fracture for fixation in a prospective fashion to become that complete cardiothoracic surgeon. Let's have some ribs.