Treatment With Oral Versus Intravenous Acetaminophen in Elderly Trauma Patients With Rib Fractures: A Prospective Randomized Trial.

Background: Rib fractures are common injuries among traumatically injured patients, and elderly patients with rib fractures are at increased risk for adverse events and death. The purpose of this study was to determine if oral (PO) acetaminophen is as effective as intravenous (IV) acetaminophen in treating the pain associated with rib fractures.

Methods: We performed a single-center, randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blinded study.