The study included 20 adult patients presented by multiple fractured ribs (flail segment) with thoracic trauma severity score (TTSS) between 5 and 15. All patients received mid-thoracic epidural analgesia with 0.125% Bupivacaine and 1 μg/ml fentanyl. The patients were ventilated using non-invasive positive pressure ventilation (NIPPV). Follow up arterial blood gases, chest X-ray and CT scan were obtained. Parameters to be recorded: Patient's characteristics and clinical data including pulmonary contusion, number of fractured ribs, pleural involvement, PaO2/FiO2 ratio on admission, weaning outcome, duration of NIPPV, length of stay in ICU (LOS ICU), complications and mortality rate.
Who can participate
Age range
18 Years – 70 Years
Sex
ALL
See this in plain English?
AI-rewrites the medical criteria so a patient or caregiver can understand them. Always confirm with the trial site.
Inclusion Criteria:
* Patients with multiple fractured ribs with flail segment presented by acute respiratory distress that had deteriorated despite effective pain management, their age more than 18 years and less than 70 years, with thoracic trauma severity score (TTSS) between 5 and 15
Exclusion Criteria:
* Patients requiring endotracheal intubation or emergency surgery following admission, severe associated trauma to other systems, respiratory failure caused by neurological disease or asthmatic attack or any contraindication for NIPPV.
Questions worth asking your doctor
Bring these to your next appointment. They're a starting point for a shared conversation — not a sign you qualify or a recommendation to enrol.
1Based on my diagnosis and history, is this trial worth exploring for me — or is there a standard treatment we should try first?
2What does this trial's phase tell us about how much is already known about its safety and benefit?
3What would taking part actually involve for me — visits, tests, time, and travel?
4What are the known and possible risks or side effects I should weigh, and how would they be monitored?
5If this trial isn't the right fit, what other options or trials would you suggest I look into?
Generated to help you prepare — always confirm anything about your own eligibility and care with the study team and your doctor.
Questions for the trial coordinator
The trial coordinator is the person who runs the study day to day. These cover the practical side — logistics, costs, and what taking part would actually mean for your life. The study team confirms whether you meet the criteria; these are questions to ask, not a sign you qualify.
1What does taking part actually involve week to week — how many visits, where, and how long does each one take?
2What costs are covered by the study, and what might I have to pay for myself, including travel, parking, or time off work?
3What happens during screening, and what happens if the study team confirms I don't meet the criteria after those tests?
4Who pays for the scans, blood work, and other tests the trial requires — the study, my insurance, or me?
5How will being in the trial affect my regular care, and will my own doctor stay informed and involved?
6Can I leave the trial at any point if I change my mind, and what would happen to my care if I do?
A starting point for the conversation — always confirm anything about your own eligibility, costs, and care with the study team and your doctor.