Health Dictionary
Reliable, easy-to-read patient information on common medical conditions — written in plain language, free of jargon, and grounded in current evidence. Browse the most frequent diagnoses, understand what they mean for everyday life, and learn which steps and questions help you have a focused conversation with your doctor.
Flail chest surgery
Introduction
Surgery
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
References
Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]