A Case of Traumatic Flail Chest Requiring Stabilization with Surgical Reconstruction

Abstract

Background Flail chest is the most serious complication that may occur after thoracic trauma. In this article, we present a case of flail chest caused by blunt chest trauma, which presented dramatic clinical improvement following rib fixation and chest wall reconstruction.

Case Description A 53-year-old male patient with flail chest because of the trauma who had been followed in intensive care unit for mechanical ventilatory support underwent chest wall stabilization with titanium reconstruction plate and screws.

Conclusion The main objective is surgical stabilization of the chest wall in cases of flail chest with a parenchymal damage because of the severe rib fracture, which need prolonged mechanical ventilation.

Keywords

thoracic trauma - flail chest - chest wall stabilization

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