Thoracic Key

Indications for consideration of rib plating Flail chest 1. Three or more unilateral segmental rib fractures 2. Three or more bilateral rib fractures 3. Three or more unilateral rib fractures…

Complication Operative Nonoperative Overall rate (%) Range (%) Overall rate (%) Range (%) Wound complications 3.10 (0–20) N/A N/A Empyema 0.12 (0–5) 0.45 (0–20) Pleural effusion 0.12 (0–2) 0 (0)…

Fig. 6.1 Rib loading during normal respiration was measured by Rehm et al.’s [7] finding that bending is the dominant loading mode For the biomechanical evaluation of the stability of…

Fig. 1.1 Chest wall injuries with multiple rib fractures and a flail segment are typically the result of severe, crushing-type injuries. This worker was crushed in the wheel well of…

Airway obstruction Patients found to have impending or active airway obstruction are often noted to have alteration of mental status or to exhibit stridorous breathing, dysphonia, tachypnea, indrawing, or accessory…

Fig. 14.1 Days on mechanical ventilation, ICU stay, and hospital stay for patients with flail chest injuries [8] Fig. 14.2 Overall outcomes for patients with flail chest injuries [8] Table…

Fig. 4.1 Chest stabilization by strapping (Used with permission, Jensen 1952 [3]) Fig. 4.2 Traction used for stabilization of flail chest injury in a patient with sternum fracture. Traction tongs…

Fig. 8.1 (a) AP chest radiograph in a 72-year-old male demonstrating a right-sided flail chest and multiple displaced right rib fractures. (b) 3D CT reconstruction in the same patient demonstrating…

Fig. 11.1 A 3D CT scan revealing multiple ipsilateral displaced rib fractures and a postoperative radiograph following open reduction and plate fixation. This fixation rapidly restored chest wall integrity and…

Fig. 5.1 Radiograph of flail chest with underlying lung contusion (indicated by arrow) Lung ultrasound: Many of the injuries resulting from thoracic trauma are better demarcated by ultrasonography than on…