Journal of Chest Surgery

The Korean Society for Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery (대한심장혈관흉부외과학회)
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Nuss Procedure for Surgical Stabilization of Anterior Flail Chest with Mechanical Ventilation Weaning Failure: A Case Report

  • Kim, Donghee (Department of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery, Asan Medical Center, University of Ulsan College of Medicine) ;
  • Yoon, Seung Keun (Department of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery, Asan Medical Center, University of Ulsan College of Medicine) ;
  • Lee, Geun Dong (Department of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery, Asan Medical Center, University of Ulsan College of Medicine) ;
  • Kim, Dong Kwan (Department of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery, Asan Medical Center, University of Ulsan College of Medicine)
  • Received : 2021.11.08
  • Accepted : 2021.12.13
  • Published : 2022.04.05
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Abstract

Flail chest is a critical medical condition in which multiple segmentally fractured adjacent ribs cause paradoxical movement of the thoracic cage in patients with severe blunt trauma injury. Surgical stabilization is considered essential in patients who require mechanical ventilation. However, there is no consensus on which surgical procedure to choose among the various available techniques or when to perform surgery. We report the case of a patient with traumatic anterior flail chest due to bilateral multiple fractures of the ribs requiring surgical stabilization in whom weaning from mechanical ventilation had failed. The Nuss procedure using double bars with the bridge technique was performed for chest wall stabilization. The patient was weaned from mechanical ventilation on postoperative day 44 and she underwent bar removal on postoperative day 71. After extensive rehabilitation for multiple trauma, she was discharged successfully. The patient currently shows no recurrence of chest wall depression in outpatient follow-up.

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References

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