Swiss medical weekly
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The histories of patients with flail chest and respiratory insufficiency caused by blunt chest injury have been analyzed. The first group represented patients with surgical stabilization of 3-4 ribs by introduction of "Rehbein plates" into the medullary cavity (10 patients 1972-1975). The patients of the second group have been supported by controlled mechanical respiration (11 patients 1972-1975). ⋯ Severe bronchial infections caused by hospital germs have occurred more frequently in patients on long-term intubation and mechanical respiration. The average age of patients was almost the same in both groups. The technique of surgical stabilization of the ribs is described, and the advantages and limits of surgical and conservative management of respiratory insufficiency caused by flail chest are discussed.