Management of Rib Fractures in the Combat Environment.
- Resource Type
- Academic Journal
- Authors
- Smith SA; Hilsden R; Patton P; Vogt K; Beckett A; Ball IM
- Source
- Publisher: Breakaway Media Country of Publication: United States NLM ID: 101158402 Publication Model: Print-Electronic Cited Medium: Print ISSN: 1553-9768 (Print) Linking ISSN: 15539768 NLM ISO Abbreviation: J Spec Oper Med Subsets: MEDLINE
- Subject
- Language
- English
- ISSN
- 1553-9768
Rib fractures in combat casualties are an under-appreciated injury, and their treatment may become more common as more patients survive because of modern body armor and point-ofinjury care. The combat environment has challenges such as equipment availability and sterility. A simple and thoughtful rib fracture treatment algorithm may be useful to reduce the morbidity and mortality of rib fractures in the combat environment. Intravenous lidocaine infusions for patients with traumatic rib fractures may have important combat applications. We propose an algorithm for the management of combat casualties with traumatic rib fractures.