Table 2 Associated injuries
Sternal fracture | Heart injury |
|---|---|
Rib fracture | Pulmonary contusion, laceration |
Upper rib fracture (first three ribs) | Brachial plexus, subclavian vessels |
Lower rib fractures (last four ribs) | Intra-abdominal injury |
Subcutaneous emphysema | Airway injury, oesophageal injury |
Pneumomediastinum | Airway injury, lung injury, oesophageal injury |
Sternoclavicular fracture (posterior sternoclavicular dislocation) | Mediastinal vessels, tracheal injury, oesophageal injury |
Scapular fracture | Haemopneumothorax, lung injury, spine and clavicle fracture, subclavian vessels, brachial plexus |