[Fenestrated rib fracture, a disease entity?]

The problems of the paradoxical respiration - observed in the case of fenestrated rib fracture - are discussed by the authors. On the basis of the data of the literature and of 348 own cases with covered rib fracture, as well as on the basis of the course and the clinical analysis of the lesion the authors refuse to admit the role of the "pendelluft" and of the mediastinal flutter in the development of circulatory and respiratory disorders occurring in the case of fenestrated rib fractures. In the authors' opinion, there are only quantitative differences between the consequences of the various rib fractures. The thoracal lesion is considered by the authors as functional unity. The treatment is always prescribed according to the degree of the functional disorder and also the classification of the injured patients is to be made on this basis.