Surgical Stabilization of Severe Rib Fractures Decreases Incidence of Retained Hemothorax and Empyema

This single institution study evaluated patients with traumatic rib fracture treated with rib fixation vs medical management; patients were propensity score matched.  RF pts experienced a lower incidence of re-intervention for retained hemothorax, a lower incidence of empyema, and a lower incidence of readmision.