Objective:To compare the short-term and long-term curative effects of video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery(VATS)transthoracic internal fixation and traditional thoracotomy on patients with multiple rib fractures.Methods:The data of 106 patients with multiple rib fractures were retrospectively analyzed.The patients were classified into two groups by using to the different surgical meth-ods,including traditional group(traditional thoracotomy)and VATS group(VATS transthoracic internal fixation).The propensity score matching method(caliper=0.01,at a ratio of 1:1)was used to match the two groups.53 cases were finally obtained in each group.The perioperative indicators,incidence rates of complications,postoperative pain degree(VAS),disease recovery status and long-term curative effect were compared between groups.Results:The VATS group had shorter surgical time and total hospitalization time(P＜0.05),and the incidence rates of complications were lower(P＜0.05).At 5 and 7 days after surgery,the VAS score was de-creased with time(P＜0.05),and the VAS score in VATS group at 1,5,and 7 days after surgery was lower(P＜0.05).The fracture alignment rate,incision healing rate and excellent and good rate of postoperative effect were higher in VATS group(P＜0.05).Conclu-sion:Compared with traditional thoracotomy,VATS transthoracic internal fixation can more accurately locate the fracture,shorten the surgical time,promote the postoperative recovery of multiple rib fractures,with few postoperative complications and ideal long-term cura-tive effect,which is worthy of clinical application.