Introduction
infection, fracture, fractures, chest traumas
INFECTION, COLLAPSE, EVENTS, COMPLICATIONS, INFLAMMATORY RESPONSE
Multiple rib fractures are severe chest traumas caused by falls, motor vehicles, and deceleration events that often lead to chest wall collapse, abnormal breathing, and other complications and even endanger the patient's life [Traditionally, multiple rib fractures are managed conservatively with mainly supportive agents, such as analgesia, mechanical ventilation, and pulmonary hygiene [Thus, we suppose that early rib fracture fixation can decrease the length of stay in the ICU and overall hospital stays, thereby decreasing the inflammatory response and protecting against infection. The present study aimed to test whether the timing of surgical rib fixation affected postoperative outcomes in a multicenter randomized controlled trial.