Clinical efficacy of thoracoscopic-assisted internal fixation for multiple rib fractures and its influence on enhanced recovery

WU Dongqiang; ZHANG Zhihao; SU Kai; ZHANG Dongliang

doi:10.3969/j.issn.1004-3594.2026.07.009

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Medical Journal of the Chinese People Armed Police Forces ›› 2026, Vol. 37 ›› Issue (7) : 600-604. DOI: 10.3969/j.issn.1004-3594.2026.07.009

ORIGINAL ARTICLES

Clinical efficacy of thoracoscopic-assisted internal fixation for multiple rib fractures and its influence on enhanced recovery

WU Dongqiang, ZHANG Zhihao, SU Kai, ZHANG Dongliang

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Abstract

Objective To explore the clinical efficacy of thoracoscopic-assisted internal fixation for multiple rib fractures and its influence on enhanced recovery. Methods The clinical data of 120 patients with multiple rib fractures admitted to Coast Guard Hospital of Chinese People’s Armed Police Force from January 2020 to December 2024 were retrospectively analyzed. According to different surgical methods, the patients were divided into a thoracoscopic group (n=60) and a traditional thoracotomy group (n=60). The surgical indicators, postoperative recovery, pain score (VAS), complications, and quality of life (SF-36 score) were compared between the two groups. Results The thoracoscopic group showed significantly better outcomes in operation time[(65.2±8.5) min vs. (85.3±10.2 )min], intraoperative blood loss[(95.6±30.1) ml vs. (142.7±45.3 )ml], and incision length[(3.2±0.8 )cm vs. (16.5±2.1 )cm], with statistically significant differences (P<0.05).The postoperative VAS scores, time to ambulation, hospital stay, and recovery time of lung function of the thoracoscopic group were significantly lower or shorter than those of the traditional thoracotomy group, with statistically significant differences (P<0.05). The complication rate of the thoracoscopic group was 6.7%, significantly lower than 22.3% of the traditional thoracotomy group, with statistically significant difference (P<0.05). Conclusions Thoracoscopic-assisted internal fixation surgery is minimally invasive, promotes fast recovery, and significantly improves the prognosis of patients, which conforms to the enhanced recovery concept and is worthy of promotion.

Key words

multiple rib fractures / internal fixation / thoracoscopy / enhanced recovery concept / minimally invasive surgery

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WU Dongqiang, ZHANG Zhihao, SU Kai, ZHANG Dongliang. Clinical efficacy of thoracoscopic-assisted internal fixation for multiple rib fractures and its influence on enhanced recovery[J]. Medical Journal of the Chinese People Armed Police Forces. 2026, 37(7): 600-604 https://doi.org/10.3969/j.issn.1004-3594.2026.07.009

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