RibFix Advantage®
Intrathoracic Fixation System
The RibFix Advantage Intrathoracic Fixation System is the first and only intrathoracic fixation system for the treatment of rib fractures. This minimally invasive fixation system consists of pre-assembled bridge plates with locking posts and locking caps for thoracoscopically assisted fixation and stabilization of ribs.
RibFix Advantage® offers a repair that accommodates:
Smaller Incisions as compared to a traditional open rib procedure.
Minimal disruption to the intercostal muscles for increased stability.
Minimal disruption to the periosteum helping to preserve the blood supply to the bone.
Benefits of RibFix Advantage®
The product is designed to fit against the rib’s natural arch, leading to restored stability at the fracture site. The surgeon uses a camera to ensure the correct placement of the implant, and surgery is performed while the patient is asleep under general anaesthesia. Benefits of rib fixation may include:
Minimally Invasive Approach
Less invasive approach compared to traditional methods. Using a system of metal bridges and posts, this system offers less muscle disruption.
Improved Recovery Times
The RibFix Advantage fixation procedure involves less tissue trauma and helps reduce pain, which
promotes faster and smoother recovery times for patients.
Reduced Pain and Discomfort
The stability provided by RibFix Advantage can help alleviate pain and discomfort associated with rib fractures, enabling patients to recover more comfortably.
Improved Stability
The RibFix Advantage system provides stable fixation of rib fractures, which is crucial for proper healing and reducing the risk of complications
Time-saving and improved accuracy
Consists of pre-assembled bridge plates that does not require intraoperative bending and the scalloped edges allow for additional points of stability to the bone.
Early Mobilisation
Patients treated with the RibFix Advantage system may experience earlier mobilisation and return to normal activities compared to those treated with more invasive techniques.
Benefits of Rib Fixation
Rib fractures are one of the most common injuries, occurring in approximately 10 percent of all trauma patients.¹ Compared to the non-surgical conservative treatment, several studies show support for the surgical stabilization of rib fractures (SSRF).
Benefits of rib fixation may include:
69% LOWER RISK OF MORTALITY².
The majority (7/10) of reviews found significant reductions in mortality rate (between 56% and 76%) for patients undergoing surgical rib stabilization when compared to conservative treatment.
4.95 FEWER DAYS OF MECHANICAL VENTILATION³.
Studies of patients reporting mechanical ventilation after surgical rib stabilization found a reduction of days that a mechanical ventilator was needed.
4.5 FEWER DAYS IN THE ICU²⁴.
ICU length of stay was found to be significantly shorter for surgical rib stabilization patients. Reported reductions range from 2 days to 6.5 days through various studies.
7.4 FEWER DAYS IN THE HOSPITAL⁵.
Hospital length of stay was found to be shorter for surgical rib stabilization patients in all but one study. Reductions in hospital stay range from 3.8 fewer days to 11.4 fewer days.
61% LESS RISK OF PNEUMONIA³⁶⁷.
Patients with surgical rib stabilization had 41% to 82% lower risk of pneumonia.
66% LESS RISK OF TRACHEOSTOMY³.
Patients who had surgical rib stabilization have shown to have a range of 41% lower to 88% lower risk of tracheostomy. This is an opening in the neck to place a tube into a person’s windpipe.
References: 1. F.M. Pieracci, et al., Consensus statement: Surgical stabilization of rib fractures rib fracture colloquium clinical practice guidelines, Injury (2016), https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/broken-ribs/symptoms-causes/syc-20350763 2. Slobogean GP, MacPherson CA, Sun T, Pelletier ME, Hameed SM. Surgical fixation vs nonoperative management of flail chest: a meta-analysis. Journal of the American College of Surgeons. 2013;216(2):302- 311.e301. 3. Liang YS, Yu KC, Wong CS, Kao Y, Tiong TY, Tam KW. Does Surgery Reduce the Risk of Complications Among Patients with Multiple Rib Fractures? A Meta- analysis. Clinical orthopaedics and related research. 2019;477(1):193-205 4. Kasotakis G, Hasenboehler EA, Streib EW, et al. Operative fixation of rib fractures after blunt trauma: a practice management guideline from the Eastern Association for the Surgery of Trauma. Journal of Trauma and Acute Care Surgery. 2017;82(3):618-626. 5. Liu X, Xiong K. Surgical management versus non-surgical management of rib fractures in chest trauma:a systematic review and meta-analysis. Journal of cardiothoracic surgery. 2019;14(1):45. 6. Coughlin TA, Ng JW, Rollins KE, Forward DP, Ollivere BJ. Management of rib fractures in traumatic flail chest: a meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials. The bone & joint journal. 2016;98-b(8):1119-1125. 7. Liang YS, Yu KC, Wong CS, Kao Y, Tiong TY, Tam KW. Does Surgery Reduce the Risk of Complications Among Patients with Multiple Rib Fractures? A Meta- analysis. Clinical orthopaedics and related research. 2019;477(1):193-205
Legacy studies | Patient information
Zimmer Biomet has nearly two decades of clinical experience. Explore the legacy studies of our rib fixation.
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Product images
Featuring RibFix Advantage® plate implants, instrumentation and in-use images.
