RibLoc Plating System

by Dr. Robert Snyder

History

In the recent past, options for rib fracture management were relatively limited. Regardless of the number and/or complexity of the fractures, therapy primarily consisted of pain control and pulmonary toilet exercises. For the majority of patients, this was adequate. Unfortunately for a minority of patients, they did not do as well. In the last couple of years, the trauma service at The Medical Center of Aurora has been using a Rib Fracture Plating System.  In the past, attempts to plate ribs were met with an unacceptably high failure rate and involved significant morbidity in terms of exposure incisions. The new system is a significant improvement.

Benefits

• Plates have u-shaped locking threads at each end. This allows secure fixation through the thin bony cortex of the ribs, with anchoring of the screws into the metal plates itself.
• Minimally invasive: incisions are usually able to be kept to approximately 4.5 cm
• The u-shaped ends offer secure fixation regardless of bone quality, and also avoid the neurovascular bundles on the under-surface of each rib
• Different sizes of plates allow customized fitting, regardless of  rib thickness

Most patients do well with the standard management involving pain medication, muscle relaxants and breathing exercises. For the occasional patient who requires more aggressive therapy, we now are able to offer the RibLoc Rib Fracture Plating option. Results in the patients who have undergone this plating are very encouraging. Rather than several months, we have seen recovery times of just weeks.