Title: Comparative Study of Analgesia Produced by Thoracic Epidural and Intravenous Opioid in Cases of Multiple Rib Fracture

Authors: Dr Pankaj Kumar Omar, Dr Shipra Surin, Dr Anikta Borkar

 DOI:  https://dx.doi.org/10.18535/jmscr/v6i2.153

Abstract

Introduction

Thoracic trauma is a significant cause of morbidity and mortality in our society. It ranks second only to head injury as a cause of traumatic death in USA. One of every four death resulting from trauma is attributable to a thoracic etiology. 1

Multiple rib fracture causes severe pain and is the most common of all chest injuries and is indentified in 10% of patients after trauma.3A The overall incidence may be higher as not all rib fractures are seen on chest x-ray or otherwise detected.

Rib fracture is a marker of severe bodily and solid organ injury. Rib fractures are associated with concomitant thoracic, head, extimity, abdominal and blunt cardiac injury2-5 Patients are at increased risk of multiple complications and have poor prognosis. Multiple rib fractures cause severe pain which may be more debilitating and harmful than the injury itself.1 Multiple rib fractures contribute significantly to the morbidity and mortality of the injured patients with the elderly 1 and patients with poor respiratory reserves being most vulnerable.

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Corresponding Author

Dr Pankaj Kumar Omar

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