RibScore — Validated Prediction of Pulmonary Morbidity from Rib Fractures

The RibScore (Roberts et al., 2014) is a validated scoring system to predict pulmonary morbidity (pneumonia, respiratory failure, prolonged ventilation) from traumatic rib fractures. It incorporates 6 weighted variables: number of fractured ribs, bilateral rib fractures, flail segment, pulmonary contusion, hemothorax, and pneumothorax. The RibScore (distinct from generic rib fracture severity descriptions) provides a 0–10 point standardized score with validated outcome thresholds, and has been prospectively validated at multiple trauma centers.