MedPath

Rib Fixation for Clinically Severe Rib Fractures From Trauma

Not Applicable
Conditions
Flail Chest
Rib Fracture
Interventions
Device: Rib Fixation System
Registration Number
NCT02595593
Lead Sponsor
Darwin Ang
Brief Summary

This is a multicenter randomized study investigating the differences in clinical outcomes of patients between two standard of care pathways for rib trauma: patients who receive rib fixation versus patients who receive modern critical care and pain control after sustaining clinically significant rib fractures from trauma.

Detailed Description

This study will compare the outcomes of patients between two standard of care pathways for rib trauma: those who have their ribs plated versus those who are managed by modern critical care and pain control. A study nurse (project) coordinator will identify subjects based on inclusion and exclusion criteria, then obtain consent for each of these patients prior to randomization. Randomization will be decided by a web-based computer program, accessible to the project coordinator. Although this randomization occurs, the study itself is purely observational, as the intervention is currently standard of care. None of the subjects or study group members will be blinded since it is not possible to disguise the intervention. Patients will be evaluated and a survey will be administered at set post-intervention intervals to determine endpoints and quality of life when data analysis will also take place.

Recruitment & Eligibility

Status
UNKNOWN
Sex
All
Target Recruitment
236
Inclusion Criteria
  • Flail chest, defined as 3 or more consecutive ribs fractured in more than one place
  • Pain and disability of an FPS (Functional Pain Scale) rating of 3 or higher
  • Deformity and Defect
  • Non-Union
  • Thoracotomy for other indications
  • 3 or more rib fractures with rib displacement of more than 1 rib cortical diameter
  • Failure to wean from ventilator
Exclusion Criteria
  • Active bacteremia
  • Active shock
  • Severe Traumatic Brain Injury with GCS < 8
  • Age 17 years or less or age greater than 90 years old
  • Chronic pulmonary disease requiring home oxygenation
  • Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome
  • Penetrating chest trauma
  • Chronic opioid dependence
  • Fractures less than 3cm from vertebral spine

Study & Design

Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Study Design
PARALLEL
Arm && Interventions
GroupInterventionDescription
Rib Fixation SystemRib Fixation SystemThis group of subjects will receive a surgical rib plating procedure after trauma
Primary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
ICU Length of Staymeasured through study completion, up to 2 years

length of stay in days

Secondary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
Quality of Life, as determined by SF-36 surveymeasured at 1 week, 3 months, 6 months post-intervention

measured at 3 different time points post-hospital stay

Number of participants with pneumonia as defined by the Centers for Disease Controlmeasured monthly through course of study, up to 2 years

based on classification as complication of rib trauma treatment

Total cost of treatmentsmeasured through study completion, up to 2 years

measured based on total costs during length of hospital stay

Trial Locations

Locations (10)

Osceola Regional Medical Center

🇺🇸

Kissimmee, Florida, United States

Kendall Regional Medical Center

🇺🇸

Miami, Florida, United States

Lawnwood Regional Medical Center

🇺🇸

Fort Pierce, Florida, United States

Ocala Regional Medical Center - Health Trauma

🇺🇸

Ocala, Florida, United States

Central Florida Regional Hospital

🇺🇸

Sanford, Florida, United States

Grand Strand Regional Medical Center

🇺🇸

Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, United States

Orange Park Medical Center

🇺🇸

Orange Park, Florida, United States

Research Medical Center

🇺🇸

Kansas City, Missouri, United States

Chippenham Johnston-Willis Hospital

🇺🇸

Richmond, Virginia, United States

Fort Walton Beach Medical Center

🇺🇸

Fort Walton Beach, Florida, United States

© Copyright 2025. All Rights Reserved by MedPath