TY  - JOUR
PY  - 1993//
TI  - Sternal fractures: a retrospective analysis of 272 cases
JO  - Journal of trauma
A1  - Brookes, J. G.
A1  - Dunn, R. J.
A1  - Rogers, I. R.
SP  - 46
EP  - 54
VL  - 35
IS  - 1
N2  - OBJECTIVE: To determine the incidence, morbidity, and mortality associated with fractures of the sternum. DESIGN: A retrospective review of the medical records of all patients treated in an emergency department with the radiologic diagnosis of sternal fracture during a 6 1/2 year period between January 1, 1985 and June 30, 1991. SETTING: A level II trauma center in the eastern suburbs of Melbourne, Australia. Patients: 272 patients were eligible for analysis. Only 6 patients of 251 involved in motor vehicle collisions were documented as not wearing seatbelts. RESULTS: The incidence of sternal fracture as a result of motor vehicle collisions was 3%. Sternal fracture is more common in female victims and the elderly and is associated with a very low incidence of cardiac arrhythmias requiring treatment. It has a mortality of 0.7%. CONCLUSIONS: Sternal fracture is a common injury in a population where restraints are frequently used. Patients with an isolated sternal fracture do not require cardiac monitoring and those under 40 years of age may be cared for in a short stay ward.<p />  <p>Language: en</p>
LA  - en
SN  - 0022-5282
UR  - http://dx.doi.org/
ID  - ref1
ER  -