A Devastating Chest Injury: A Case Report

Introduction: Sternal fractures, although uncommon, pose significant clinical challenges due to potential complicationssuch as respiratory compromise and chest wall instability. Prompt diagnosis and appropriate management are crucial to reduce morbidity. Case Report: We report a case of a 43-year-ol...

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Main Authors: Bikram Keshari Kar, Sudarshan Behera, Nitin Kashyap, Rudra Narayan Dash, Rakesh Dhaka
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Indian Orthopaedic Research Group 2025-06-01
Series:Journal of Orthopaedic Case Reports
Subjects:
Online Access:https://jocr.co.in/wp/2025/06/01/a-devastating-chest-injury-a-case-report/
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author Bikram Keshari Kar
Sudarshan Behera
Nitin Kashyap
Rudra Narayan Dash
Rakesh Dhaka
author_facet Bikram Keshari Kar
Sudarshan Behera
Nitin Kashyap
Rudra Narayan Dash
Rakesh Dhaka
author_sort Bikram Keshari Kar
collection DOAJ
description Introduction: Sternal fractures, although uncommon, pose significant clinical challenges due to potential complicationssuch as respiratory compromise and chest wall instability. Prompt diagnosis and appropriate management are crucial to reduce morbidity. Case Report: We report a case of a 43-year-old male who sustained displaced sternal and rib fractures following a road traffic accident. A midline incision allowed open reduction and internal fixation using a 3.5 mm locking reconstruction plate for the sternum and a 2 mm plate for the rib. Postoperative recovery was uneventful, with significant pain relief and improved respiratory function. Conclusion: This case reinforces the importance of early surgical intervention in unstable sternal fractures. Locking plate fixation offers superior biomechanical stability, faster healing, and fewer complications compared to conservative management or traditional wiring techniques.
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institution Kabale University
issn 2250-0685
2321-3817
language English
publishDate 2025-06-01
publisher Indian Orthopaedic Research Group
record_format Article
series Journal of Orthopaedic Case Reports
spelling doaj-art-a03dcadbf34d490c8242ca8c68c2602c2025-08-20T03:31:27ZengIndian Orthopaedic Research GroupJournal of Orthopaedic Case Reports2250-06852321-38172025-06-0115610711210.13107/jocr.2025.v15.i06.5682A Devastating Chest Injury: A Case ReportBikram Keshari KarSudarshan BeheraNitin KashyapRudra Narayan DashRakesh DhakaIntroduction: Sternal fractures, although uncommon, pose significant clinical challenges due to potential complicationssuch as respiratory compromise and chest wall instability. Prompt diagnosis and appropriate management are crucial to reduce morbidity. Case Report: We report a case of a 43-year-old male who sustained displaced sternal and rib fractures following a road traffic accident. A midline incision allowed open reduction and internal fixation using a 3.5 mm locking reconstruction plate for the sternum and a 2 mm plate for the rib. Postoperative recovery was uneventful, with significant pain relief and improved respiratory function. Conclusion: This case reinforces the importance of early surgical intervention in unstable sternal fractures. Locking plate fixation offers superior biomechanical stability, faster healing, and fewer complications compared to conservative management or traditional wiring techniques.https://jocr.co.in/wp/2025/06/01/a-devastating-chest-injury-a-case-report/sternal fracturechest traumalocking plate fixationrib fracturesurgical stabilization
spellingShingle Bikram Keshari Kar
Sudarshan Behera
Nitin Kashyap
Rudra Narayan Dash
Rakesh Dhaka
A Devastating Chest Injury: A Case Report
Journal of Orthopaedic Case Reports
sternal fracture
chest trauma
locking plate fixation
rib fracture
surgical stabilization
title A Devastating Chest Injury: A Case Report
title_full A Devastating Chest Injury: A Case Report
title_fullStr A Devastating Chest Injury: A Case Report
title_full_unstemmed A Devastating Chest Injury: A Case Report
title_short A Devastating Chest Injury: A Case Report
title_sort devastating chest injury a case report
topic sternal fracture
chest trauma
locking plate fixation
rib fracture
surgical stabilization
url https://jocr.co.in/wp/2025/06/01/a-devastating-chest-injury-a-case-report/
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