ObjectiveTo explore the feasibility to use pain scale and arterial oxygen partial pressure(PaO2)as screening internal fixation indications for patients with multiple rib fractures. MethodsClinical data of 48 patients with multiple rib fractures who were admitted to Shanghai Pudong Hospital from September 2010 to February 2013 were retrospectively analyzed. Visual analogue scale (VAS) was used for pain assessment. Twenty-four patients whose VAS was greater than or equal to 6 and PaO2 was less than 60 mm Hg 3 days after injury were chosen as the experimental group, including 16 males and 8 females with their age of 49.29±15.73 years. Another 24 patients whose VAS was less than or equal to 5 and PaO2 was greater than 60 mm Hg 3 days after injury were chosen as the control group, including 19 males and 5 females with their age of 48.63±13.49 years. Patients in both groups received rib internal fixation with steel plates. Three days and 1 week after surgery respectively, VAS and PaO2 were compared between the 2 groups. ResultsIn the experimental group, VAS 3 days after surgery was significantly lower than preoperative VAS (4.09±0.93 vs. 8.21±1.18, P < 0.05), and VAS 1 week after surgery was significantly lower than preoperative VAS (3.20±0.98 vs. 8.21±1.18, P < 0.05). In the control group, there was no statistical difference between VAS 3 days after surgery and preoperative VAS (P > 0.05), and there was no statistical difference between VAS 1 week after surgery and preoperative VAS (P > 0.05). Three days after surgery, PaO2 of the experimental group was significantly higher than preoperative PaO2 (61.00±3.47 mm Hg vs. 53.00±3.97 mm Hg, P < 0.05). There was no statistical difference between PaO2 3 days after surgery and preoperative PaO2 in the control group (66.71±5.15 mm Hg vs. 66.00±5.00 mm Hg, P > 0.05). Three days after surgery, pneumonia occurred in 4 patients in the experimental group and 2 patients in the control group (χ2=0.762, P > 0.05). Three days after surgery, pain scale reduction of the experimental group was significantly higher than that of the control group (4.13±1.45 vs. 0.00±0.42, P < 0.05). One week after surgery, pain scale reduction of the experimental group was significantly higher than that of the control group (5.04±1.23 vs. 0.08±0.28, P < 0.05). Three days after surgery, PaO2 increase of the experimental group was significantly higher than that of the control group (7.42±3.59 mm Hg vs. 0.21±0.98 mmHg, P < 0.05). ConclusionIt's reasonable and feasible to use pain scale greater than or equal to 6 and PaO2 less than 60 mm Hg as internal fixation indications for patients with multiple rib fractures.
ObjectiveTo discuss the advantage and disadvantage of uniport video-assisted thoracic surgery (VATS) versus single utility port VATS in the surgical treatment of benign thoracic diseases. MethodsFrom January 2012 to December 2014, 125 patients with benign thoracic diseases who underwent VATS by the same performer were divided randomly into two groups including a uniport VATS group or a single utility port VATS group. There were 41 males and 24 females with a mean age of 47.5±16.6 years in the uniport VATS group. There were 39 males and 21 females with a mean age of 45.1±15.7 years in the single utility port VATS group. Then the patients were followed up. The perioperative data and follow-up results were compared between two groups. ResultsThe total 125 patients of operations were performed successfully according the established plan, without increasing incisions or transferring to thoracotomy. There were no statistical differences between two groups in operative time (48.9±11.3 min vs. 47.1±11.0 min), intraoperative bleeding volume (26.9±15.4 ml vs. 23.8±13.2 ml), postoperative 24 h chest tube drainage volume (81.5±36.9 ml vs. 77.3±31.2 ml), postoperative chest tube drainage time (2.8±2.0 d vs. 3.4±2.2 d), the pain score on the 3rd postoperative day (2.6±1.2 points vs. 2.6±1.3 points), average in-hospital stay (4.9±2.1 d vs. 5.1±2.2 d) or postoperative complications (P > 0.05). The patients were followed up for 3-24 months. All patients achieved satisfactory results with no recurrence. ConclusionsCompared with single utility port VATS, uniport VATS does not prolong operation time or consume more materials, and has advantages of minimally invasion and higher acceptance. It is a safe and feasible approach in surgical treatment of benign thoracic diseases and worthy of popularization and application.