During resuscitation, fractured ribs most commonly involve:
Ans. c. 4th -- 6th ribs Reasonable conclusions to be drawn from the literature in relation to rib fractures in adults Rib fractures following CPR in adults are quite common - 30 to 60% of prospective post-moem studies. Post-CPR rib fractures are often bilateral. The site of rib fracture is dependent on: the position of the hands; force used; and method of chest compression (manual or device-assisted). The vast majority (90%+) offractures occur in ribs 2 to 7; fractures in the bony pas of rib numbers 1 and 8 to 10 are possible but probably very rare; it is difficult to see how fractures can occur in rib numbers 11 and 12 following standard manual CPR. The vast majority of fractures (90%+) occur in the anterior third of the bony pa of the rib, some occur in the middle third but - following standard manual CPR - none in the posterior third of the bony pa of the rib. Posterior rib fractures occur following automated band-type CPR. Lateral fractures i.e. those occurring between the anterior and posterior axillary lines, do occur after standard CPR. If a fracture is noted in rib numbers 10 to 12 or in the posterior third of the bony pa of a rib, then non-resuscitation trauma should be suspected. Chest x-ray is unreliable as a diagnostic tool for detecting rib fractures. CT is better than x-ray and may complement the post-moem detection of rib fractures. Fractures are more common On the left side of the chest With increasing age of the patient In females With increasing length of time of resuscitation attempts Following the involvement of untrained persons With the use of ACD-CPR
2nd -4th ribs
3rd -5th ribs
4th -6th ribs
5th -7th ribs