Analysis of the therapeutic effect and prognosis in 86 cases of rib fractures and atelectasis

BackgroundThe aim of the present study was to explore the therapeutic effect and prognosis in patients with rib fractures and atelectasis after thoracic trauma in order to provide a basis for clinical decision-making in primary hospitals.MethodsA retrospective study was conducted on 86 patients admitted to our hospital between January 2016 and May 2020 with rib fractures and atelectasis after thoracic trauma. On the basis of the chest computed tomography scans taken at the time of discharge, the patients were divided into two groups: the reexpansion group and the non-reexpansion group. The two groups were compared with respect to the changes observed in the patients' levels of blood oxygen saturation (SpO2) and pulmonary function, the presence of secondary pulmonary or thoracic infection, the time of chest tube drainage, the length of hospitalization, the cost of hospitalization, and the patients' level of satisfaction with their quality of life 3months after discharge.ResultsIn the reexpansion group, there were significant differences in the levels of SpO2 and pulmonary function measured before and after pulmonary reexpansion (P < 0.05). Compared with the non-reexpansion group, the patients in the reexpansion group had a lower incidence of secondary pulmonary and thoracic infection and a higher level of satisfaction with their quality of life after discharge; these differences were statistically significant (P < 0.05). There was no statistical significance between the two groups with respect to the time of chest tube drainage or the length of hospitalization (P >0.05). However, the cost of hospitalization was significantly higher in the reexpansion group than in the non-reexpansion group (P <0.05).ConclusionsThe patients in the pulmonary reexpansion group had a lower incidence of complications and a better prognosis than the patients in the non-reexpansion group.

Automated summary

Patients in the pulmonary reexpansion group showed better therapeutic effects and prognosis compared to those in the non-reexpansion group, including blood oxygen saturation, pulmonary function, incidence of secondary infections, and satisfaction with quality of life.