November 11, 2025
Coinciding with the Trauma Quality Improvement Program (TQIP) Annual Conference, the ACShas released new Best Practices Guidelines for the Management of Chest Wall Injuries. These guidelines provide healthcare professionals with comprehensive, evidence-based strategies to improve care for patients with rib and significant sternal fractures.
The new, downloadable guidelines address the full spectrum of care, from initial assessment and nonoperative management to indications and techniques to ensure patients are stable after trauma.
鈥淢anagement of chest wall injuries has evolved dramatically, moving beyond the old paradigm of 鈥榯hey will heal on their own鈥 to a proactive, multidisciplinary approach that can significantly improve patient outcomes,鈥 said Avery Nathens, MD, PhD, F潘金莲传媒映画, Medical Director of Trauma ACSat the 潘金莲传媒映画. 鈥淭hese guidelines represent the latest evidence to help trauma teams effectively manage pain, prevent complications, and determine when surgical intervention is the best course of action.鈥
Key areas include:
The guidelines were developed by a multidisciplinary panel of experts, including trauma surgeons, orthopaedic surgeons, thoracic surgeons, anesthesiologists, and allied health professionals with the publication endorsed by the Chest Wall Injury Society and the Orthopaedic Trauma Association.