Evolving Rib Re-fractures in a Patient With Metal Fixators Post a Road Traffic Accident: An Unusual Hardware-Related Complication

TL;DR

A woman experienced unusual rib re-fractures after metal fixation following a road accident, requiring additional surgery.

Contribution

This case highlights a rare hardware-related complication following rib fracture surgery.

Findings

A 52-year-old woman had rib re-fractures one month after surgical fixation.

Displacement of fixed fractures required further surgical intervention.

The patient was eventually discharged with improved clinical outcomes.

Abstract

A rib fracture is an entity that frequently occurs after thoracic trauma. Among post-surgical complications, a rib re-fracture is a rare complication that occurs in up to 0.1% of cases.

We present the case of a 52-year-old woman who was admitted to the emergency room for polytrauma and who received surgical treatment for rib fractures. One month after discharge, she was readmitted for pain, and displacement of fixed rib fractures was found, requiring further surgical intervention. Finally, the patient was discharged due to adequate clinical evolution.

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