Costotransverse screws in repair of paraspinal rib fractures—a novel approach for rib fractures threatening the aorta

Fragments of fractured ribs can lacerate the descending thoracic aorta and other mediastinal structures (1). The mortality associated with these aortic lacerations is extremely high. Therefore, awareness, early recognition and prevention are essential for patient survival. Currently, there is no consensus regarding the optimal strategy to prevent these penetrating aortic injuries (2). Prior techniques involved mostly eliminating the sharp rib edge threatening the great vessels (3).