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Related Concept Videos

Flail Chest-I01:24

Flail Chest-I

Overview of Flail Chest
Flail chest is a severe and potentially life-threatening condition characterized by the fracture of three or more adjacent ribs in multiple places. It is most commonly caused by direct impacts and trauma, such as motor vehicle accidents or injuries from a steering wheel impact. It can also occur due to falls in elderly individuals with osteoporosis, or assaults involving sharp objects.
Pathophysiology
The pathophysiology of flail chest is complex, involving fractures of...
Flail Chest-II01:26

Flail Chest-II

Managing flail chest, a condition characterized by a segment of the chest wall moving independently from the rest of the thoracic cage, requires a comprehensive approach. It includes a thorough assessment of the patient's condition, a diagnostic evaluation to determine the extent of the injury, and the implementation of appropriate medical interventions tailored to the individual's needs.
Assessment:
1. Clinical Evaluation:
History:
Pneumothorax-II01:27

Pneumothorax-II

Pneumothorax is a medical condition defined by the buildup of air in the pleural space between the lungs and the chest wall. This accumulation of air can lead to partial or complete lung collapse, resulting in a range of clinical manifestations. Understanding the clinical presentation and effective management strategies is crucial for healthcare professionals in providing timely and appropriate care to individuals with pneumothorax.
Clinical Manifestations:
Pneumothorax II: Pathophysiology01:08

Pneumothorax II: Pathophysiology

Pneumothorax means the presence of air in the pleural space — the thin potential gap between the visceral and parietal pleura. This condition disrupts the normal pressure balance that keeps the lungs inflated, leading to partial or complete collapse of the affected lung.Normal physiologyUnder normal conditions, the pleural space maintains a slightly negative intrapleural pressure, which keeps the lungs expanded against the chest wall. This negative pressure creates a delicate balance between...
Pneumothorax-I01:26

Pneumothorax-I

A pneumothorax is a condition where air builds up in the space between the lung and the chest wall, causing the lung to collapse. This condition arises when air enters the space between the parietal and visceral pleura, disrupting the negative pressure essential for lung inflation. This can lead to a partial or complete collapse of the lung.
Pneumothorax can be even further classified as spontaneous, traumatic, and tension pneumothorax.
Atelectasis II: Pathophysiology01:10

Atelectasis II: Pathophysiology

Atelectasis develops when alveoli lose their air and collapse inward. Because lung tissue is naturally elastic, these air sacs shrink rather than remaining open. Collapsed alveoli are no longer ventilated, reducing their role in gas exchange. Blood flow may continue in these regions, creating a ventilation–perfusion mismatch. Clinical findings include decreased breath sounds, dullness to percussion, reduced chest expansion, and decreased tactile fremitus as sound transmission through collapsed...

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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jul 5, 2026

Intravital Widefield Fluorescence Microscopy of Pulmonary Microcirculation in Experimental Acute Lung Injury Using a Vacuum-Stabilized Imaging System
09:28

Intravital Widefield Fluorescence Microscopy of Pulmonary Microcirculation in Experimental Acute Lung Injury Using a Vacuum-Stabilized Imaging System

Published on: April 6, 2022

Flail chest and pulmonary contusion.

Renata Bastos1, John H Calhoon, Clinton E Baisden

  • 1Division of Cardiothoracic Surgery, University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, San Antonio, TX 78229-3900, USA. bastos@uthscsa.edu

Seminars in Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery
|April 19, 2008
PubMed
Summary

Flail chest, a severe thoracic injury, often involves lung damage and complications from associated injuries. Treatment focuses on pain relief, fluid management, and respiratory support, with rib stabilization considered in select cases.

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Murine Left Pulmonary Hilar Clamp Model of Lung Ischemia Reperfusion Injury
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Intravital Widefield Fluorescence Microscopy of Pulmonary Microcirculation in Experimental Acute Lung Injury Using a Vacuum-Stabilized Imaging System
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Intravital Widefield Fluorescence Microscopy of Pulmonary Microcirculation in Experimental Acute Lung Injury Using a Vacuum-Stabilized Imaging System

Published on: April 6, 2022

Murine Left Pulmonary Hilar Clamp Model of Lung Ischemia Reperfusion Injury
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Murine Left Pulmonary Hilar Clamp Model of Lung Ischemia Reperfusion Injury

Published on: April 12, 2024

Area of Science:

  • Thoracic Surgery
  • Trauma Surgery
  • Pulmonary Medicine

Background:

  • Flail chest is a critical thoracic injury frequently associated with pulmonary parenchymal damage.
  • Management is complex due to common co-occurring injuries, which often dictate patient outcomes.
  • Mortality and morbidity are primarily influenced by associated injuries rather than the flail chest itself.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To outline the complex management strategies for flail chest injuries.
  • To discuss the role of pain management, fluid resuscitation, and pulmonary toilet.
  • To review indications and contraindications for rib stabilization in specific patient populations.

Main Methods:

  • Review of current literature and clinical guidelines on flail chest management.
  • Analysis of factors influencing mortality and morbidity in associated injuries.
  • Evaluation of evidence supporting various treatment modalities, including rib stabilization.

Main Results:

  • Initial management prioritizes pain control, appropriate fluid resuscitation, and pulmonary hygiene.
  • Mechanical ventilation or thoracotomy may necessitate consideration of rib stabilization.
  • Treatment decisions involve balancing numerous potentially conflicting indications and contraindications.

Conclusions:

  • Effective flail chest management requires addressing associated injuries and optimizing respiratory function.
  • Rib stabilization is a potential intervention but requires careful consideration of patient-specific factors.
  • Current recommendations and evidence levels for flail chest treatment are detailed.