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Case Series
Rib fixation: New horizons in regional surgery
1 General Surgery Unit, Goulburn Valley Health, 2/2-48 Graham Street, Shepparton VIC 3630, Australia
2 General Surgery Unit, Mackay Hospital and Health Service, 475 Bridge Road, Mackay QLD 4740, Australia
3 Upper Gastrointestinal and Hepatopancreaticobiliary Unit, Cairns and Hinterland Hospital and Health Service, 165 The Esplanade, Cairns, QLD 4870, Australia
Address correspondence to:
Xin Yi Goai
2/2-48 Graham Street, Shepparton, VIC 3630,
Australia
Message to Corresponding Author
Article ID: 100064S05II2025
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How to cite this article
Indigahawela I, Shi W, Goai XY, Dlaska C, Dissanayake M, Pretorius C, Beardsley C. Rib fixation: New horizons in regional surgery. Edorium J Surg 2025;11(2):1–9.ABSTRACT
Introduction: Rib fractures are a common consequence of trauma, often necessitating surgical stabilization for improved outcomes. Mackay Base Hospital (MBH) serves as a regional center for managing trauma cases, including rib fractures. Despite logistical challenges, MBH strives to provide optimal care for patients requiring surgical stabilization of rib fracture (SSRF). This article aims to provide insight into SSRF practices at MBH.
Case Series: A retrospective analysis of patients undergoing SSRF at MBH from January 2021 to June 2022 was conducted. Five SSRF procedures were performed, with a mean patient age of 56 years and a predominance of male patients. Postoperatively, extubation occurred within 48 hours in most cases. One morbidity and one mortality were reported, both unrelated to surgical complications.
Conclusion: Despite logistical and resource-related challenges, MBH demonstrated successful implementation of SSRF. Structured upskilling, multidisciplinary coordination, and investment in local capabilities suggest that regional centers can deliver safe and effective SSRF care.
Keywords: Chest trauma, Regional surgery, Rib fractures, Surgical stabilization of rib fractures, Thoracic surgery
SUPPORTING INFORMATION
Author Contributions:
Imeshi Indigahawela - Analysis of data, Interpretation of data, Drafting the article, Revising it critically for important intellectual content, Final approval of the version to be published
Weiwei Shi - Analysis of data, Interpretation of data, Drafting the article, Final approval of the version to be published
Xin Yi Goai - Substantial contributions to conception and design, Acquisition of data, Revising it critically for important intellectual content, Final approval of the version to be published
Constantin Dlaska - Substantial contributions to conception and design, Revising it critically for important intellectual content, Final approval of the version to be published
Mahanama Dissanayake - Analysis of data, Interpretation of data, Drafting the article, Final approval of the version to be published
Casper Pretorius - Substantial contributions to conception and design, Interpretation of data, Revising it critically for important intellectual content, Final approval of the version to be published
Christian Beardsley - Substantial contributions to conception and design, Revising it critically for important intellectual content, Final approval of the version to be published
Guaranter of SubmissionThe corresponding author is the guarantor of submission.
Source of SupportNone
Consent StatementWritten informed consent was obtained from the patient for publication of this article.
Data AvailabilityAll relevant data are within the paper and its Supporting Information files.
Conflict of InterestAuthors declare no conflict of interest.
Copyright© 2025 Imeshi Indigahawela et al. This article is distributed under the terms of Creative Commons Attribution License which permits unrestricted use, distribution and reproduction in any medium provided the original author(s) and original publisher are properly credited. Please see the copyright policy on the journal website for more information.
