Surgery for Unstable Chest Wall Injuries - How Many Fractures Should be Fixed? (NCT07338656) | Clinical Trial Compass
Not Yet RecruitingNot Applicable
Surgery for Unstable Chest Wall Injuries - How Many Fractures Should be Fixed?
Sweden100 participantsStarted 2026-05-05
Plain-language summary
The goal of this prospective, randomized study is to learn about the effects of two different surgical techniques for treating unstable chest wall injuries in adults. The main questions it aims to answer are:
Does fixing two fractures per rib lead to better healing than fixing one fracture per rib in patients with unstable chest injuries? Does the choice of surgical method affect lung function, pain, other symptoms, risk of pneumonia, or the risk of complications?
Participants will:
* Undergo surgery using either the standard method (fixing one fracture per rib) or an alternative method (fixing two fractures per rib), both using a muscle-sparing technique.
* Be followed up at 1, 3, and 12 months after surgery.
* Have CT scans at 3 months (and at 12 months if healing is incomplete) to assess bone healing.
* Be evaluated for lung function, pain, symptoms, and complications.
This study aims to provide new knowledge about which surgical method is best for unstable chest wall injuries, helping to improve treatment and recovery for these patients.
Who can participate
Age range
18 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 scheduled for surgery of acute (≤7 days after trauma) unstable injuries in the chest wall at the Department of Surgery, Sahlgrenska University Hospital
* Both parts of the unstable segment must be accessible for surgery.
Exclusion Criteria:
* Patients with injuries resulting from CPR
* Patients with severe head injury (Head AIS\>3)
* Patients with spinal injury
* Patients with neurological or musculoskeletal disease affecting chest wall mobility.
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.
What they're measuring
1
Radiological healing
Timeframe: 3 months after inclusion, 12 months after inclusion if not healed after 3 months.