Advances in diagnosis and treatment for flail chest

Flail chest is a common blunt chest injury,and is often complicated with injury of lung parenchyma,acute respiratory distress syndrome( ARDS) and respiratory failure. Chest X-ray film and multiple- slice spiral computerized tomography scan are useful diagnostic methods for flail chest and pulmonary contusion. The comprehensive managements of flail chest with pulmonary contusion include keeping airway unobstructed,floating chest wall control,artificial ventilation,pain control,limited fluid resuscitation and internal rib fixation in time. More and more studies have shown the advantages of open reduction internal fixation( ORIF) over operative management. However, the timing and indications of surgery should be strictly grased.