Comparison of outcomes in patients with multiple rib fractures based on use of ON-Q catheter for continuous intercostal nerve blockade, excluding patients with rib fixation
| ON-Q catheter (CATH) (n=38) | No ON-Q catheter (STD) (n=76) | P value | |
| Outcomes | |||
| 30-day hospital-free days | 16.7±6.51 | 12.2±10.05 | 0.005 |
| 90-day hospital-free days | 75.1±13.83 | 60.8±29.47 | 0.001 |
| ICU-free days | 4.7±3.83 | 6.3±6.09 | 0.09 |
| Ventilator-free days | 8.9±4.33 | 10.2±8.79 | 0.29 |
| Unplanned intubation (%) | 2 (5.3) | 6 (7.9) | 0.72 |
| Failed extubation (%) | 3 (7.9) | 8 (10.5) | 0.75 |
| Required tracheostomy (%) | 2 (5.3) | 15 (19.7) | 0.04 |
| Pneumonia (%) | 2 (5.3) | 14 (18.4) | 0.06 |
| Hospital mortality (%) | 1 (2.6) | 12 (15.8) | 0.04 |
| Rib fracture complication* (%) | 6 (15.8) | 28 (36.8) | 0.02 |
Results shown as mean±SD unless otherwise noted.
Estimates from Pearson’s χ2 and independent t-test for categorical and continuous variables, respectively.
*Either unplanned intubation, failed extubation, pneumonia, tracheostomy requirement, or hospital mortality.
CATH, patients with multiple rib fractures managed with continuous intercostal nerve blockade; ICU, intensive care unit; STD, patients with multiple rib fractures managed without continuous intercostal nerve blockade.