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Chest Wall Injury: In Geriatric Trauma and Emergency Care

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Geriatric Trauma and Critical Care

Abstract

Thoracic injury accounts for up to 25 % of fatalities among injured patients. Chest wall injuries are common with rib fractures identified in approximately 10–26 % of patients presenting to a trauma center and sternal fractures in <1 % [1–3]. Elderly patients are at increased risk for both rib and sternal fractures when compared to younger patients [4, 5]. Several studies have reported that these injuries are associated with increased morbidity and mortality in this patient cohort [4, 6–10]. The purpose of this chapter is to review the current literature regarding the patterns of chest wall injury in the geriatric population, evaluate the factors contributing to worse outcome, and discuss injury prevention and management strategies for patients with these injuries.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Professor of Surgery, Harborview Medical Center, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA

    Eileen M. Bulger MD (Chief of Trauma)

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  1. Eileen M. Bulger MD
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Correspondence to Eileen M. Bulger MD .

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Editors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Surgery, Stritch School of Medicine Loyola University of Chicago Edward Hines, Jr. Veterans Administration Medical Center, Maywood, Illinois, USA

    Fred A. Luchette

  2. Professor of Surgery, Hofstra School of Medicine Medical Director for Surgical and Perioperative Services, Southside Hospital/Northwell Health, Bay Shore, New York, USA

    Jay A. Yelon

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Bulger, E.M. (2017). Chest Wall Injury: In Geriatric Trauma and Emergency Care. In: Luchette, F., Yelon, J. (eds) Geriatric Trauma and Critical Care. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-48687-1_27

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-48687-1_27

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  • Publisher Name: Springer, Cham

  • Print ISBN: 978-3-319-48685-7

  • Online ISBN: 978-3-319-48687-1

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