First treatment of flail chest is-
Ans is 'a' i.e., O2 administration and analgesia * Currently, treatment consists of oxygen administration, adequate analgesia (including opiates) and physiotherapy.* If a chest tube is in situ, intrapleural local analgesia can be used as well.* Ventilation is reserved for cases developing respiratory failure despite adequate analgesia and oxygen.* Surgery to stabilise the flail chest is currently in use again; it may be useful in a selected group with isolated or severe chest injury and pulmonary contusion who have been shown to benefit from internal operative fixation of the flail segment.
O2 administration and analgesia
Mechanical ventilation
Surgical stabilization
Intrapleural analgesia
Trauma