Technique de l'ostéosynthèse costale

Flail chest remains one of the major complications of blunt thoracic traumatisms; it jeopardizes the vital prognosis by the related risk of acute respiratory insufficiency. After standard symptomatic medical treatment, different therapeutic options have to be considered in case of aggravation, among which surgical treatment with operative stabilization. Although indications remain debated and provided indications are well defined, osteosynthesis may limit the duration of mechanical ventilation, decrease immediate and long-term complications and reduce the cost of management of such diseases.