Flail chest surgery

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Flail chest Microchapters

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Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]

Surgery

Treatment of the flail chest initially follows the principles of Advanced Trauma Life Support. Further treatment includes:

  • Good analgesia including intercostal blocks, avoiding narcotic analgesics as much as possible. This allows much better ventilation, with improved tidal volume, and increased blood oxygenation.
  • Positive ventilation, meticulosly adjusting the ventilator settings to avoid barotrauma.
  • Chest tubes as required.
  • Adjustment of position to make the patient most comfortable and provide relief of pain.

Surgical fixation is usually not required.

References

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