[Unstable thorax fixation with bioabsorbable plates and screws. Presentation of some cases].

BACKGROUND: Flail chest is managed with mechanical ventilation or inhalation therapy, and analgesia. Mechanical ventilations carry risks by themselves and disengage with the external fixators so they must be operated to improve lung ventilatory mechanics and cleaning. Little has been published on the use of bioabsorbable material and its evolution in the setting of flail chest.

MATERIAL AND METHODS: A material that did had to be retired, that presented the malleability of titanium and its inflammatory reaction was minimal and could be handled in both adults and children was investigated. Here is shown a descriptive study of patients with flail chest under rib fixation with plates and bioabsorbable screws.

RESULTS: 18 cases are presented, aged 33-74 years, three with bilateral flail chest; fixation was performed between days 1-21 of the accident. In cases that showed no fractures pelvic limbs, gait next day restarted fi ng in all cases improved mechanical ventilation, pain decreased, none has so far presented reaction material.

CONCLUSIONS: Flail chest has a high (16.3%) mortality when no management provides the pathophysiology of the condition (pain, poor mechanical ventilation, alveolar edema-pulmonary contusion). The use of bioabsorbable material has no side effects attributable to material which is another option for rib fixation.