Post-discharge complications and follow-up timing after hospitalization for traumatic rib fractures.

Purpose: To evaluate frequency and timing of post-discharge complications in patients with traumatic rib fractures undergoing operative or nonoperative management.

Methods: We retrospectively reviewed adult patients with rib fractures admitted to a Level 1 trauma center from 1/2020 to 12/2021. Outcomes included rib-related complications, pneumonia within 1 month, new diagnosis of opioid- or alcohol-use disorder, and all-cause mortality.