Indianapolis, Indiana – The only hospital in the state using laparoscopic surgery to fix broken ribs is Ascension St. Vincent Hospital on Indianapolis’ north side.
“Maybe a few years ago, if you fractured your ribs, unless you had a significant reason, three or four broken ribs or you were intubated in the intensive care unit and your chest wall wasn’t working, we wouldn’t fix your ribs,” said Ascension Thoracic surgeon Dr. Nakul Valsangkar.
A titanium plate can now be implanted using cutting-edge technology through a little incision. Broken bones are repaired by the plate.
“This blading system essentially goes through your chest through that front small incision,” said Dr. Valsangkar.
Greg Runkle of Macy, Indiana, shattered his ribs last summer after getting caught in a severe storm.
“When the storm came through, I was standing by the swing. I stood up, and I’m pretty sure the roof hit me because I have a scar on my head. It knocked me over the swing and It knocked me out,” said Runkle.
Runkle suffered from agony for several months before undergoing surgery.
“The surgery went smooth and the recover went good. A couple weeks after the surgery, I was feeling better,” he said.
During the same storm, Laura Runkle, Runkle’s wife, sustained several fractures and a crushed hip.
“The next thing I knew, I was being slammed to the ground from behind because a tree had fallen on top of my body,” she said.
Laura is a candidate for the laparoscopic rib treatment and anticipates having it shortly. She regards it as a blessing that she made it through the storm.
“I will say by the grace of God I’m here.”
Dr. Valsangkar said he performed about 100 of these surgeries, and he expects to do more next year.
