Overview of Blunt Chest Injury with Multiple Rib Fractures

Introduction: Thoracic trauma leading to multiple fractured ribs (MFR) remains common. The significant chest pain of multiple rib fractures can be difficult to manage and can lead to decreased pulmonary function, increased hospital stay, and increased health care expenditures.

Aims: To evaluate the treatment options available for pain control in blunt chest injury with multiple rib fractures.

Study Design: Internet research.

Methodology: Literature review on pain management of blunt chest injury associated with multiple rib fractures was done from 1970 to 2014 using manual library search, journal publications on the subject, and Medline.

Results: Various modalities have been in use including systemic modalities, regional modalities, transcutaneous modalities and cutaneous modalities.

Conclusion: The current research has shown differs modalities available for control of chest pain in blunt chest injury and multiple rib fractures in the ranges of systemic therapy, regional therapy and trans-cutaneous therapy. Summation of evidences favours regional therapy over others.