Abstract
<title>Abstract</title> <p>Background: Currently, the standard treatment for multiple rib fractures is still under debate. This study explores the efficacy of three treatments (thoracoscopic internal fixation, open surgical internal fixation and conservative treatment) for multiple rib fractures and their influence on thoracic cavity volume and postoperative rehabilitation. Methods: Patients with multiple rib fractures admitted to Weifang People's Hospital of Shandong Province from March 2019 to March 2021 were enrolled in this study. The thoracic volume changes before and after treatment were measured by three-dimensional CT reconstruction. Twenty-seven patients in the open operation group underwent internal fixation with the rib cage, and 24 patients in the non-internal fixation group underwent external fixation with the chest band. The recovery of multiple rib fractures was evaluated by comparing the difference in thoracic volume before and after treatment, the incidence of related complications and the Comprehensive Assessment of Quality of Life questionnaire (GQOLI-74) score one month after the operation. Results: After 12 months of follow-up, thoracic volume was significantly different between the internal and non-internal fixation groups (P < 0.05). One month after the thoracoscopic internal fixation of rib fractures, the scores of physical function, psychological function and social function in the thoracoscopic internal fixation group were better than those in the open operation internal fixation group and the chest band external fixation group and the differences were statistically significant (P < 0.05). Conclusions: Compared with open rib internal fixation and conservative treatment, thoracoscopic internal fixation for treating multiple ribs has a more prominent effect on the thoracic volume and postoperative rehabilitation. It is suggested that thoracoscopic internal fixation of rib fractures can be actively performed for multiple rib fractures.</p>