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Table 3 Breathing movements, range of motion and disability rating index (DRI) of patients with flail chest (n = 16) 3, 6 and 12 months after surgery

From: Surgical treatment of multiple rib fractures and flail chest in trauma: a one-year follow-up study

Breathing Movements (n = 16)

3 months Mean ∆ Operated vs Non-Operated side

6 months Mean ∆ Operated vs Non-Operated side

1 year Mean ∆ Operated vs Non-Operated side

Rest

   

Upper Thorax (mm)

-0.76 ± 1.12

-0.40 ± 0.68

0.49 ± 1.32b**

Lower Thorax (mm)

-0.22 ± 0.88

0.10 ± 0.56

0.27 ± 0.82

Abdominal (mm)

-0.20 ± 1.67

0.43 ± 1.63

0.14 ± 1.40

Maximal Breathing

   

Upper Thorax (mm)

-3.04 ± 5.24

-1.24 ± 1.77

0.10 ± 4.88

Lower Thorax (mm)

-0.05 ± 4.57

1.48 ± 3.62

1.05 ± 4.46

Abdominal (mm)

-0.91 ± 4.92

-0.58 ± 2.64

0.65 ± 5.09

Range of Motion (n = 16)

3 months Mean

6 months Mean

1 year Mean

Upper level Thoracic Excursion (cm)

3.84 ± 1.71

4.09 ± 1.53

3.98 ± 1.58

Lower level Thoracic Excursion (cm)

3.41 ± 1.29

4.38 ± 1.70a*

3.82 ± 1.61

Thoracic Flexion (cm)

1.75 ± 0.88

2.06 ± 1.03

2.25 ± 0.75b*

Thoracic Extension (cm)

0.66 ± 0.47

0.88 ± 0.43

1.17 ± 0.45b**

Lateral Flexion towards injured side (cm)

14.50 ± 3.80

15.50 ± 5.30

14.10 ± 6.20

Lateral Flexion from injured side (cm)

14.80 ± 5.40

15.90 ± 4.20

14.40 ± 6.40

DRI (n = 16)

3 months Median

6 months Median

1 year Median

(0-100 mm)

23.0 (0.0–78.1)

15.3a* (0.0–65.3)

0.0b* (0.0–66.9)

  1. * p-value <0.05
  2. ** p-value <0.01
  3. a Difference from 3 months to 6 months
  4. b Difference from 3 months to 1 year