Miami Valley Hospital Earns Chest Wall Injury Collaborative Center Designation
Miami Valley Hospital, in collaboration with Wright State Physicians and Wright State University’s Boonshoft School of Medicine (WSU BSOM), has been named a Chest Wall Injury Collaborative Center by the Chest Wall Injury Society (CWIS). Miami Valley Hospital is the 20th hospital in the world to receive this designation. As a Chest Wall Injury Collaborative Center, Miami Valley Hospital’s Level I Trauma Center provides comprehensive pain management, respiratory therapy, and rib plating surgery for patients with fractures and those experiencing chronic chest wall pain.
“This achievement highlights our Level I trauma services and recognizes Premier Health’s commitment to high-quality care of patients with rib and sternal fractures,” said Candy Skidmore, Premier Health vice president of emergency and trauma services.
The Chest Wall Injury Society is an international group of rib fracture experts whose mission is to optimize the operative and non-operative care of a chest wall injury patient. The designation is awarded to programs active in CWIS that have high-volume rib fixation, contribute to the Chest Wall Injury Database (CIID), and are involved with multicenter research trials.
Miami Valley Hospital is a leader in treating rib and sternal fractures. Traditionally, treatment includes pain control and pulmonary support. In 2016, the first rib plating surgery at Miami Valley Hospital was performed by Greg Semon, DO, a trauma surgeon at Miami Valley Hospital and associate professor of surgery at WSU BSOM. Today, three additional surgeons can perform the surgery. Miami Valley Hospital also hosts educational labs and contributes to rib plating research.
Severe rib fractures are typically caused by car or motorcycle crashes, falls, assaults, or other blunt injuries. Long-term consequences may include chronic pain, chest deformity, and decreased lung function if left untreated. Rib plating, a reconstructive surgery, significantly reduces pain, allowing patients to reduce their pain medications. It also shortens the need for hospitalization. The operation is performed by placing the patient under general anesthesia and making incisions over the broken ribs. Titanium plates and screws are then inserted to stabilize the broken ribs, reducing pain and the ribcage’s deformity as the ribs heal.
“We have helped hundreds of patients – not only those who need immediate rib plating surgery, but also those experiencing chronic chest wall pain months or years later,” explains Dr. Semon. “Our designation as a Chest Wall Injury Collaborative Center is a testament to our commitment to excellent care.”
Individuals who experience chronic chest wall pain can make an appointment for an evaluation by calling Wright State Physicians at (937) 245-7200 or Miami Valley Hospital’s Trauma Clinic at (937) 208-6268.