One case report: Surgical treatment of a flail chest caused by a wedge-shaped avulsion fracture of manubrium sterni.

OBJECTIVE

The surgical treatment experience of one case of sternal manubrium wedge-shaped avulsion fracture combined with multiple costal cartilage fractures resulting in anterior flail chest is summarized.

METHODS

A 53-year-old male patient with sternal manubrium avulsion fracture and costal cartilage fractures caused by a bull goring injury was treated with a multi-material combined fixation strategy (wire cerclage reduction + titanium plate and screw fixation + memory alloy embracing device). The wire threading technique and flexible costal cartilage fixation technique were optimized during the surgery.

RESULTS

The surgery successfully achieved stable fixation of the sternum and costal cartilage, with postoperative CT showing good alignment and disappearance of paradoxical breathing. The patient did not undergo any loosening of the internal fixation, recovering smoothly.

CONCLUSION

The combined application of wire cerclage, plate fixation, and memory alloy internal fixation can effectively treat sternal manubrium avulsion fractures combined with flail chest.