ObjectiveTo investigate the efficacy and safety of internal rib fixation for patients with multiple rib fractures. MethodsA total of 141 patients with multiple rib fractures who were admitted to Department of Thoracic Surgery of the Sixth Affiliated Hospital of Xinjiang Medical University between January 2010 and January 2013 and whose chest trauma score (AIS-ISS) was 9-20 (16±2) were recruited in this study. Using the random number generator of SPSS, all the patients were randomly divided into an internal fixation group [69 patients including 41 males and 28 females with their age of 25-61 (37±4) years] who underwent internal rib fixation, and a control group [72 patients including 43 males and 29 females with their age of 24-63 (35±5) years] who received conservative therapy. Plasma C-reactive protein (CRP) patients' satisfaction degree with thoracic appearance,incidence of lung infection,pain-relieving efficacy,postoperative chest drainage duration and length of hospital stay were compared between the 2 groups. ResultsPlasma CRP levels of the internal fixation group were not statistically different from those of the control group in 1-3 days after injury (P>0.05) but were significantly lower than those of the control group in 4-12 days after injury (P<0.05). Patients' satisfaction degree with thoracic appearance (97.1% vs. 48.6%,P<0.05) and pain-relieving efficiency (91.3% vs. 68.1%,P<0.05) of the internal fixation group were significantly higher than those of the control group. Incidence of lung infection of the internal fixation group was significantly lower than that of the control group(11.6% vs. 37.5%,P<0.01). Postoperative chest drainage duration [(3±2) d vs. (7±4) d,P<0.05] and length of hospital stay [(9±4) d vs. (15±7) d,P<0.05] of the internal fixation group were significantly shorter than those of the control group. ConclusionsFor patients with multiple rib fractures and stable vital signs,internal fixation surgery is helpful to shorten length of hospital stay, relieve chest pain and improve thoracic appearance. It can also reduce lung inflammation and increase surgical safety so as to improve treatment outcomes of multiple rib fractures.