@article{ref1,
title="Thoracic hyperextension injury with complete "bony disruption" of the thoracic cage: Case report of a potentially life-threatening injury",
journal="World journal of emergency surgery",
year="2012",
author="Bailey, James and Vanderheiden, Todd and Burlew, Clay Cothren and Pinski-Sibbel, Sarah and Jordan, Janeen and Moore, Ernest E. and Stahel, Philip F.",
volume="7",
number="1",
pages="14-14",
abstract="BACKGROUND: Severe chest wall injuries are potentially life-threatening injuries which require a standardized multidisciplinary management strategy for prevention of posttraumatic complications and adverse outcome. CASE PRESENTATION: We report the successful management of a 55-year old man who sustained a complete &quot;bony disruption&quot; of the thoracic cage secondary to an &quot;all-terrain vehicle&quot; roll-over accident. The injury pattern consisted of a bilateral &quot;flail chest&quot; with serial segmental rib fractures, bilateral hemo-pneumothoraces and pulmonary contusions, bilateral midshaft clavicle fractures, a displaced transverse sternum fracture with significant diastasis, and an unstable T9 hyperextension injury. After initial life-saving procedures, the chest wall injuries were sequentially stabilized by surgical fixation of bilateral clavicle fractures, locked plating of the displaced sternal fracture, and a two-level anterior spine fixation of the T9 hyperextension injury. The patient had an excellent radiological and physiological outcome at 6 months post injury. CONCLUSION: Severe chest wall trauma with a complete &quot;bony disruption&quot; of the thoracic cage represents a rare, but detrimental injury pattern. Multidisciplinary management with a staged timing for addressing each of the critical injuries, represents the ideal approach for an excellent longterm outcome.<p /> <p>Language: en</p>",
language="en",
issn="1749-7922",
doi="10.1186/1749-7922-7-14",
url="http://dx.doi.org/10.1186/1749-7922-7-14"
}