STERNAL FRACTURES - A RED FLAG OR A RED HERRING

We reviewed the records of 28 patients with sternal fractures. Seat be lts were used by 79% of the patients. Pain and tenderness were the mos t common complaints. Forty-six percent of patients had associated inju ries, which were all evident in the emergency room. Seven patients had rib fractures, six had myocardial contusion, and five had pulmonary c ontusions. The associated injuries determined the outcome: 2 patients died, 2 required rehabilitation, the rest recovered uneventfully. Mean length of stay (LOS) was 8.17 +/- 1.78 days, but the median LOS was 4 days, and 75% stayed a week or less. The sternal fracture was treated with rest and analgesics. We conclude that sternal fractures are beni gn and do not require special treatment or an expensive work-up. It is possible that the seat belt and the sternal fracture absorb a substan tial part of the energy transfer, and prevent greater damage.