Abstract

Clinical observations were performed on 17 cases of the traumatic sternal fracture, those were admitted and treated at the department of thoracic and cardiovascular surgery in Chosun University Hospital during the past 6 years 5months period from January 1983 to May 1989. Obtained results were as follows: 1. The frequency was about 4.8% of the nonpenetrating chest trauma. 2. The ratio of male to female was 16: 1 in male predominance and age distribution was from 24 to 62 years old. 3. The common cause were high decelerating injury [impact of the steering column] and falling down[more than 3 m in high]. 4. The most common fracture site was sternal body and next was sternomanubrial junction. 5. Associated intrathoracic organ injuries were cardiac contusion [6 cases], hemopneumothorax[1 Case], mediastinal bleeding[1 case], and thoracic cage and extrathoracic organ injuries were rib fracture, head injuries, thoracic spinal fracture, and long bone fracture. 6. Abnormal EGG findings were sinus bradycardia[1 case], bundle branch block [2 cases], and sinus tachycardia[3 cases]. 7. The operative reduction and fixation was necessary in only one case and the others were treated with conservative treatment.

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