Biomechanics of flail chest injuries: tidal volume and respiratory work changes in multiple segmental rib fractures.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Flail chest (FC) injuries are segmental osseous injuries of the thorax that typically result from high-energy blunt trauma and regularly occur in multiple trauma (MT) patients. FC injuries are associated with paradoxical chest wall movements and, thus, have a high risk of respiratory insufficiency or even death. An increasing number of studies recommend an early surgical stabilization of FC injuries, but a definite trigger that would indicate surgery has, thus far, not been identified.

Methods

Based on real-world injury computed tomography (CT) data, this study aimed to establish a finite elements (FE) model of a thorax simulating spontaneous breathing. The model is based on a 0.625 mm slice thickness CT data set. In this FE model, various FC injury patterns were

SUBMITTER: Zierke JN 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11742335 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature