RibScore is a clinical tool used for the assessment of patients with rib fractures. It is particularly applicable to the adult population who have sustained blunt chest trauma. The RibScore is utilized to predict the risk of pneumonia, respiratory failure, tracheostomy, and mortality in these patients. It incorporates factors such as age, number of rib fractures, presence of bilateral rib fractures, and pre-existing pulmonary disease into its calculation. The clinical utility of this calculator lies in its ability to guide clinicians in making informed decisions about the need for aggressive interventions, hospitalization, and ICU admission. However, it should be noted that the RibScore may not be applicable or accurate in patients with penetrating chest trauma, flail chest, or those who have undergone surgical intervention for their rib fractures.
Reference
Brandon C Chapman, Benoit Herbert, Maria Rodil et al. RibScore: A novel radiographic score based on fracture pattern that predicts pneumonia, respiratory failure, and tracheostomy. J Trauma Acute Care Surg. 2016 Jan;80(1):95-101.
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