Sternal injuries.

Trauma cases admitted to hospitals are often associated with chest-cage injuries. Sternal injuries may be overlooked and may cause persistent pain. Sternal injuries were reviewed at the Health Sciences Center General Hospital from 1963 to 1983 to ascertain the severity of chest-cage trauma and complications from this type of injury, including long-term sequelae. Mechanisms of injury to the chest cage and sternum are discussed. Osteoporosis was noted to be a predisposing factor. Chylothorax and nonunion of the sternum were rare sequelae. Stabilization of the sternum and chest cage is often necessary early treatment. Motor vehicle accidents were by far the most common cause of trauma producing these injuries. Thirty-six cases of injury to the sternum form the basis for this review.