Operative management versus non-operative management of rib fractures in flail chest injuries: a systematic review.
Jaap SchuurmansJ C GoslingsT SchepersPublished in: European journal of trauma and emergency surgery : official publication of the European Trauma Society (2016)
Despite the relatively small number of patients included, different methodologies and differences in presentation of outcomes, operative management of flail chest seems to be a promising treatment strategy that improves patients' outcomes in various ways. However, the effect on mortality rate remains inconclusive. Therefore, research should continue to explore operative management as a viable method for flail chest injuries.