Osteosynthesis surgery for rib fractures is controversial and challenging. This study developed a noval poly(ε-caprolactone) (PCL)-based biodegradable "cable-tie" fixator for osteosynthesis surgery for rib fractures. A biodegradable fixator specifically for fractured ribs was designed and fabricated by a micro-injection molding machine in our laboratory. The fixator has three belts that could b...

The most common mechanism of blunt thoracic trauma is an MVC, followed by falls, assaults, and crush injuries. Compressive forces directly injure the thoracic cage and underlying viscera and result in rib fractures and pulmonary contusion. Deceleration produces traction on fixed structures such as the isthmus of the aorta and the carina and results in traumatic aortic and tracheobronchial injur...

2.3-month-old (Case 1), one-month-old (Case 2) and 6-month-old (Case 3), Japanese Black calves presented with mild to severe wheezing. All calves had histories of dystocia at birth with breech presentation. Physical examination, thoracic radiography, endoscopy or computed tomography indicated wheezing associated with tracheal collapse and stenosis caused by perinatal rib fractures. Partial rese...

Among the many patients who present to chest clinics and casualty departments with thoracic pain of obscure origin there are a few in whom the cause is immediately apparent from the initial chest radiograph. We present two examples in young women, who were found to have sustained a stress fracture of the first rib during the course of fairly mild but unaccustomed exertion. Case reports Case 1 A...

Stress fractures of the upper extremity and thorax are often unrecognized injuries in athletes and nonathletes. The authors reviewed the causative activities and anatomic distribution of rib and upper-extremity stress fractures. Radiographic and clinical information was reviewed for each case to determine anatomic site and causative activity of each stress fracture. Stress fracture, although an...