Chest wall injury: Classification and rib fixation

This thesis aims to provide a further understanding of the etiology of rib fractures, their
classification, their acute management, and nonunion treatment. Attention is directed
to rib fractures and other chest wall injuries that occur not only following trauma but
also injuries that are the iatrogenic collateral damage of life-saving medical procedures.
It strives to describe and quantify the use and challenges of classifying rib fractures and
the closely related dynamic injuries that pulmonary contusions represent. Researched
populations are acute trauma patients, chronic patients with rib fracture nonunion,
and healthcare providers who are involved in the care of patients with rib fractures.
This thesis intends to evaluate a range of aspects of SSRF, from the biomechanical
characteristics of rib fixation implants used to its clinical implementation for multiple
acute rib fractures and the outcomes of SSRF for rib fracture nonunion.