Comparison of opioid analgesic requirements in patients with multiple rib fractures based on use of ON-Q catheter for continuous intercostal nerve blockade
| Analgesic requirements (oral morphine equivalents) | ON-Q catheter (CATH) | No ON-Q catheter (STD) | P value |
| All patients | CATH (n=48) | STD (n=96) | |
| Total for hospitalization | 2741±1960 | 3429±4251 | 0.19 |
| Prior to ON-Q placement | 1265±1284 | – | |
| After ON-Q placement | 1477±1247 | – | |
| Six or more rib fractures | CATH (n=39) | STD (n=44) | |
| Total for hospitalization | 2641±1990 | 4900±5443 | 0.01 |
| Bilateral rib fractures | CATH (n=15) | STD (n=46) | |
| Total for hospitalization | 3292±2317 | 4660±5259 | 0.17 |
| Three or more flail segments | CATH (n=15) | STD (n=16) | |
| Total for hospitalization | 3569±2671 | 5678±5834 | 0.21 |
Results shown as mean±SD unless otherwise noted.
Estimates from independent t-test.
CATH, patients with multiple rib fractures managed with continuous intercostal nerve blockade; STD, patients with multiple rib fractures managed without continuous intercostal nerve blockade.