Find trials
Search tips

A Study Of Surgical Stabilization Of Rib Fractures (SSRF) In Older Patients With Severe, Non-flail Fracture Patterns

Overview

About this study

The purpose of this study is to assess whether operative management of rib fracture via SSRF is associated with improved quality of life for patients age ≥65 with a RFF high frailty risk when compared to a cohort of frail patients whose rib fracture was managed non-operatively and to evaluate the effects of SSRF on other outcomes, specifically, length of intensive care unit stay, ventilator days, ventilator-free days, discharge status, functional status on discharge, discharge facility, unanticipated readmissions, unanticipated ED visits, mortality, pleural space complications, surgical site infections, timing to SSRF from injury.

Participation eligibility

Participant eligibility includes age, gender, type and stage of disease, and previous treatments or health concerns. Guidelines differ from study to study, and identify who can or cannot participate. There is no guarantee that every individual who qualifies and wants to participate in a trial will be enrolled. Contact the study team to discuss study eligibility and potential participation.

Inclusion Criteria:

  • Age 65 and older

  • High frailty risk based on RFF calculation with:

    • three or more ipsilateral, bi-cortical, severely displaced, acute fractures of ribs 3 to 10. Severe displacement defined as 50% or greater of rib width measured on axial computed tomography (CT) chest imaging. The three severely displaced fractures do not need to be consecutive

    • two or more of the following pulmonary physiologic derangements, measured after initiation of locoregional anesthesia:

      • respiratory rate of 20 or greater breaths per minute

      • incentive spirometery (IS) less than 50% predicted

      • numeric pain score (NPS) greater than 5/10, and

      • poor cough (as documented by respiratory therapists not involved in trial)

    • SSRF expected less than 72 hours from injury. It is acceptable to include patients with concomitant contralateral rib fractures and/or sternum fractures

Exclusion Criteria:

  • Flail chest, defined as either clinical (paradoxical motion of a segment of the chest wall observed on physical examination) or radiographic (≥2 consecutive ribs each fractured in ≥2 places on CT chest)

  • Moderate or severe traumatic brain injury (intracranial hemorrhage visualized on CT head with Glasgow Coma Score (GCS) ≤12

  • Acute ventilator-dependent respiratory failure
    Severe pulmonary contusion, defined as Blunt Pulmonary Contusion 18 (BPC 18) score greater than 12. (needs reference)

  • Prior or expected emergent exploratory laparotomy, thoracotomy, or craniotomy during index admission

  • Spinal cord injury

  • Pelvic fracture that requires, or is expected to require, operative intervention

  • Life expectancy less than 6 months (as determined by terminal illness with life expectancy <6 months or less, currently receiving hospice care, based on clinician assessment)

  • Incarceration

  • Enrollment would be longer than 72 hours from injury

Note: Other protocol defined Inclusion/Exclusion Criteria may apply.

Eligibility last updated 02/09/2026. Questions regarding updates should be directed to the study team contact.

Participating Mayo Clinic locations

Study statuses change often. Please contact the study team for the most up-to-date information regarding possible participation.

Mayo Clinic Location Status Contact

Rochester, Minn.

Mayo Clinic principal investigator

Contact us for the latest status

Contact information:

Mohamad Khair Abou Chaar

5072551315

abouchaar.mohamadkhairm@mayo.edu

More information

Publications

Publications are currently not available

More about research at Mayo Clinic

.
CLS-20602688

Mayo Clinic Footer