Is early osteosynthesis safe in multiple trauma patients with severe thoracic trauma and pulmonary contusion?

The timing of osteosynthesis of major fractures in patients with multiple injuries is still disputed. Recently questions have been raised as to the possible detrimental effects of this treatment on pulmonary function in patients who have additional thoracic trauma. In this study the charts of 57 consecutive patients with multiple injuries including thoracic trauma were analyzed. Thirty patients without major fractures were compared with 27 patients with major fractures treated by early osteosynthesis. Despite a significantly higher Injury Severity Score (ISS) in in the group with major fractures, there was no significant difference in pulmonary function between the two groups. We conclude that the presence of thoracic trauma should not be regarded as a contraindication for early surgical stabilization of major fractures.