Outcomes of traumatic flail chest treated by operative fixation versus conservative approach / 上海交通大学学报（医学版）

ABSTRACT

Objective To compare the outcomes of traumatic flail chest with multiple injuries treated by operative fixation versus conservative approach. Methods The clinical data of 60 patients with traumatic flail chest with multiple injuries were retrospectively analysed, and the outcomes between operation group (treated by operative fixation, n=32)and non-operation group (treated by conservative approach, n=28) were compared. Results The mean time of hospital stay, ICU stay and mechanical ventilation was significantly shorter, and the prevalences of chest wall deformity, pulmonary infection, pulmonary atelectasis and respiratory failure were significantly lower in operation group than those in non-operation group (P<0.05). Six months after discharge, the pulmonary function parameters such as inspiratory capacity, forced vital capacity, forced expiratory volume in one second, peak expiratory flow, total lung capacity and maximal midexpiratory flow were significantly higher in operation group than those in non-operation group (P<0.05). Conclusion Traumatic flail chest with multiple injuries treated by operative fixation may lead to less flail chest associated complications. Operative fixation has short- and long-term benefits to flail chest.