Open Reduction and Internal Fixation of Rib Fractures in Polytrauma Patients with Flail Chest [1]
This retrospective single-center study evaluated outcomes of patients treated for flail chest using open reduction and fixation (ORIF) or non-operative management (NOM). The 41 ORIF and 45 NOM patients were similar in demographics and injury severity. Hospital and ICU LOS were longer in the ORIF group. The ORIF group also trended towards longer time on the ventilator. Further knowledge regarding appropriate patient selection criteria for ORIF in the management of flail chest is needed.