REVIEW

Treatments for blunt chest rd morbidity and mortality [1]. Rib fractures constitute a [5]. Even an isolated rib fracture is associated with signifi-Unsworth et al. Scandinavian Journal of Trauma, Resuscitation and Emergency Medicine (2015) 23:17 DOI 10.1186/s13049-015-0091-5treated in a timely manner, complications may result inAustralia Full list of author information is available at the end of the articlemajor part of blunt chest trauma and each additional rib fracture is associated with an increasing likelihood of developing complications [2,3]. Each additional rib fracture in the elderly population increases the odds of mortality by 19 % and of developing pneumonia by 27% [3,4]. Respiratory complications develop with rib fractures cant consequences, particularly in the older population [6,7]. This causes decreased lung volumes, atelectasis, and may progress to pneumonia, respiratory failure, need for prolonged ventilation and possible death [8]. Moreover reduced mobility in blunt chest trauma increases the likelihood of venous thrombosis [9,10]. Management of blunt chest trauma focuses on a combination of effective analgesia, surgical fixation, chest physiotherapy, respiratory care and early mobilisation [11,12]. If rib fracture pain in blunt chest trauma is no