Patients with thoracic trauma and rib fractures

Rib fractures have traditionally been managed conservatively. However, recent studies show that surgical fixation can significantly reduce pain, minimize respiratory complications, and shorten hospital stays. Conventional procedures, often requiring large incisions, limit these benefits. To address this, Siaogang Hospital pioneered the "Ultra Minimally Invasive Surgical Stabilization of Rib Fractures," enabling fixation of up to five ribs through incisions as small as 3 to 5 cm. With thoracoscopic assistance and hybrid operating room support, 96% of patients undergo surgery within 72 hours, reducing hospital stays to just seven days—half the national average.

Located in southern Taiwan’s heavy industrial zone, Siaogang Hospital frequently treats patients from severe traffic accidents. Rib fractures and thoracic trauma account for 10% of emergency trauma cases. In response, the hospital integrates thoracic surgery, orthopedics, emergency medicine, and other departments to form a standardized and efficient treatment process. Multidisciplinary rib fixation surgery simultaneously performed by two specialties, with an integrated care clinic. In 2025, the hospital was recognized by the Chest Wall Injury Society (CWIS) as the first collaborative hospital in Asia.

• Ultra-minimally invasive rib fracture fixation surgery – a 3–5 cm incision can stabilize up to 5 ribs.

• Surgical technique published in the World Journal of Emergency Surgery (Impact Factor: 6.0).

• Integrated Hybrid OR approach – world-leading case volume, with an average incision size of 3.8 cm and a minimum of 2.5 cm.

• First in Asia – CWIS (Chest Wall Injury Society) certified collaborative center.

• First in Asia to serve as a surgical instructor for the CWIS Advanced Course.

• Pioneered in Asia – using the Chinese version of Chest Quality of Life (C-QOL) to assess postoperative outcomes.

• Dual-specialty collaboration – thoracic surgery and orthopedics performing simultaneous thoracoscopy and rib fracture internal fixation.

• Integrated thoracic and rib fracture outpatient clinic – providing patients with comprehensive follow-up and treatment.

Since 2016, thoracic trauma and rib fracture surgeries have been performed, with the number of cases increasing year by year. The total number of surgical cases has now exceeded 290.

• Surgery performed within 72 hours: 96% execution rate

• Return-to-operating-room rate: 0%

• Surgical infection rate: 0%

• Average incision size: 3.9 cm

• Average surgery duration: 115.2 minutes

• Average fixation time per rib: 33 minutes

• Average length of hospital stay: 7.2 days

• Rib fracture surgery infection rate: 0%

• Rate of undergoing another thoracic surgery within three months: 0%

• Incidence of plate breakage, loosening, or fixation failure after rib fracture surgery: 0%

Patients and their families who underwent ultra-minimally invasive rib fracture fixation surgery reported postoperative satisfaction rates exceeding 90% across all aspects, including the medical process, nursing care, postoperative outcomes, and overall satisfaction.

• Ultra-minimally invasive rib fracture fixation technique published in the World Journal of Emergency Surgery, setting the record for the least invasive approach in international journals.

• CWIS (Chest Wall Injury Society) certified collaborative center.

• First in Asia to serve as a surgical instructor for the CWIS Advanced Course.

• Our team’s patients have an average hospital stay of only 7 days, significantly shorter than the national average of 15 days for rib fracture surgery patients.

The team is committed to advancing techniques and sharing expertise in thoracic trauma and rib fracture surgery. To promote medical innovation and foster international academic exchange, we actively participate in various domestic and international conferences, publish in global journals, and conduct workshops. We maintain close collaboration with organizations such as CWIS (Chest Wall Injury Society, USA), the Taiwan Orthopedic Association, and the Thoracic Trauma Society. Our work has earned high praise and technical recognition from leading trauma and thoracic surgery experts worldwide, and we have been invited to share our experience internationally.