Comparison of outcomes in patients with multiple rib fractures based on use of ON-Q catheter for continuous intercostal nerve blockade
| ON-Q catheter (CATH) (n=48) | No ON-Q catheter (STD) (n=96) | P value | |
| Outcomes | |||
| 30-day hospital-free days | 15.9±6.43 | 13.2±9.94 | 0.048 |
| 90-day hospital-free days | 74.7±12.53 | 63.3±28.12 | 0.001 |
| ICU-free days | 4.9±3.71 | 6.0±5.65 | 0.18 |
| Ventilator-free days | 9.4±4.57 | 9.8±8.15 | 0.68 |
| Unplanned intubation (%) | 2 (4.2) | 6 (6.3) | 0.61 |
| Failed extubation (%) | 4 (8.3) | 10 (10.4) | 0.69 |
| Required tracheostomy (%) | 4 (8.3) | 17 (17.7) | 0.13 |
| Pneumonia (%) | 2 (4.2) | 16 (16.7) | 0.03 |
| Hospital mortality (%) | 1 (2.1) | 13 (13.5) | 0.03 |
| Cardiopulmonary (%) | 1 (2.1) | 7 (7.3) | 0.11 |
| Rib fracture complication* (%) | 8 (16.7) | 33 (34.4) | 0.03 |
Results shown as mean±SD unless otherwise noted.
Estimates from Pearson’s χ2 and independent t-test for categorical and continuous variables, respectively.
*Either unplanned intubation, failed extubation, pneumonia, tracheostomy requirement, or hospital mortality.
CATH, patients with multiple rib fractures managed with continuous intercostal nerve blockade; ICU, intensive care unit; STD, patients with multiple rib fractures managed without continuous intercostal nerve blockade.