Liao Chien-An, Kang Shih-Ching, Young Tai-Horng, Liao Chien-Hung, Hsieh Chi-Hsun, Fong Yi-Teng, Chuang Chun-Chieh, Chen Chih-Hao
Department of Biomedical Engineering, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan.
Chang Gung University College of Medicine, Taoyuan, Taiwan.
BMC Surg. 2025 Mar 28;25(1):123. doi: 10.1186/s12893-025-02861-5.
Rib fractures, the most common blunt chest trauma worldwide, have been evaluated in multiple retrospective cohort studies. Histology laboratories using innovative techniques are crucial to improving patient outcomes; animal models are especially valuable in this regard. Currently, the creation of animal models of fractures involves cutting to avoid lethal pleural injury and induce linear fractures incompatible with real-world morphology. Suitable models with bone displacement, which are common surgical targets, are limited. Therefore, we aimed to develop an animal experimental model that aligns with real-world clinical conditions and allows for more in-depth research on blunt chest trauma.
We conducted an animal study using New Zealand rabbits to create fractures with displacement, without injuring the pleura. A facial bone drill was used to create several fracture holes in the ribs that were carefully dissected using a rongeur and scissors. After reaching the border between the bone and pleura, they were separated through blunt dissection with scissors. Fractures were created without injuring the pleura, and a rongeur was used to displace the bones.
Seven rabbits successfully underwent surgery, with each awakening without pleural injury and pneumothorax. Surgery effectiveness was primarily assessed using chest computed tomography (CT) to evaluate types of rib fractures. CT was performed in the second week and second and third months postoperatively. All rabbits exhibited visibly displaced rib fractures, and no additional chest complications were observed.
This innovative animal model allowed us to study pathophysiological changes following rib fracture. Future studies investigating new medical materials and surgical procedures will benefit from this animal model.
肋骨骨折是全球最常见的钝性胸部创伤，已在多项回顾性队列研究中得到评估。采用创新技术的组织学实验室对于改善患者预后至关重要；动物模型在这方面尤其有价值。目前，骨折动物模型的创建涉及切割以避免致命的胸膜损伤，并诱导与实际形态不相符的线性骨折。具有骨移位（常见手术靶点）的合适模型有限。因此，我们旨在开发一种与实际临床情况相符的动物实验模型，以便对钝性胸部创伤进行更深入的研究。
我们使用新西兰兔进行了一项动物研究，以创建有移位的骨折且不损伤胸膜。使用颌面骨钻在肋骨上钻出几个骨折孔，然后用咬骨钳和剪刀小心地进行解剖。到达骨与胸膜的边界后，用剪刀钝性分离。在不损伤胸膜的情况下制造骨折，并用咬骨钳使骨头移位。
七只兔子成功接受了手术，每只兔子苏醒时均无胸膜损伤和气胸。手术效果主要通过胸部计算机断层扫描（CT）评估肋骨骨折类型。在术后第二周以及第二和第三个月进行CT检查。所有兔子均表现出明显移位的肋骨骨折，未观察到其他胸部并发症。
这种创新的动物模型使我们能够研究肋骨骨折后的病理生理变化。未来对新型医用材料和手术方法的研究将受益于这种动物模型。
