Fixation of Multiple-Segmented Costosternal Cartilage Fracture in Flail Chest Injury: A Case Report

Abstract

Early internal fixation of rib fractures in the setting of flail chest has proven benefits over traditional conservative treatment. This can decrease pneumonia, time on mechanical ventilation, length of stay in intensive care units, need for tracheostomy and increase in the pulmonary function test. However, there are few reports regarding on how to restore the costochondral junction, or costal cartilage in cases of anterior or anterolateral flail chest involving cartilage matrix of the ribs or costochondral joint. This case report describes a surgical technique to restore the costochondral junction with plate osteosynthesis and the results.

Keywords

• chest wall stabilization
• costosternal fixation
• flail chest
• rib fixation
• thoracic trauma