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Abstract

Background: Rib fractures are one of the most common traumatic injuries and may result in significant morbidity and mortality. Despite growing evidence, technological advances, and increasing acceptance, surgical stabilization of rib fractures (SSRF) remains not uniformly considered in trauma centers. Indications, contraindications, appropriate timing, surgical approaches, and utilized implants are part of an ongoing debate. The present position paper, which is endorsed by the World Society of Emergency Surgery (WSES), and supported by the Chest Wall Injury Society, aims to provide a review of the literature investigating the use of SSRF in rib fracture management to develop graded position statements, providing an updated guide and reference for SSRF.

Methods: This position paper was developed in accordance with the WSES methodology. A steering committee performed the literature review and drafted the position paper. An international panel of experts then critically revised the manuscript and discussed it in detail to develop a consensus on the position statements.

Results: A total of 287 studies (systematic reviews, randomized clinical trials, prospective and retrospective comparative studies, case series, and original articles) were selected from an initial pool of 9928 studies. Thirty-nine graded position statements were put forward to address eight crucial aspects of SSRF: surgical indications, contraindications, optimal timing of surgery, preoperative imaging evaluation, rib fracture sites for surgical fixation, management of concomitant thoracic injuries, surgical approach, stabilization methods, and material selection

Conclusion: This consensus document addresses the key focus questions on the surgical treatment of rib fractures. The expert recommendations clarify current evidence on SSRF indications, timing, operative planning, approaches, and techniques, with the aim of guiding clinicians in optimizing the management of rib fractures, to improve patient outcomes, and direct future research.

Keywords: Rib fractures, Surgical stabilization of rib fractures (SSRF), Flail chest, Multiple rib fractures, Thoracic/chest trauma injury, Rib fixation, Operative reduction and internal fixation (ORIF), Minimally invasive plating osteosynthesis (MIPO), Video-assisted thoracoscopy surgery (VATS), Consensus, Guidelines