A patient is diagnosed with flail chest. Patient is stable, what is the treatment?
Treatment consists of oxygen administration, adequateanalgesia (including opiates) and physiotherapy. If achest tube is in situ, topical intrapleural local analgesia introduced the tube, can also be used. Ventilation is reservedfor cases developing respiratory failure despite adequate analgesiaand oxygen. Surgery to stabilize the flail segment using internal fixation of the ribs may be useful in a selected group of patients with isolated or severe chest injury and pulmonary contusion.Bailey and love 27e pg: 368
Analgesia, Oxygen
Internal fixation of ribs
Positive pressure ventilation
Chest strapping
Trauma