[Flail chest in pediatric patient. Case report].

Flail chest is defined by fracture of 3 or more adjacent ribs, at 2 or more sites, with paradoxical movement of the affected chest. It occurs in 2 to 4 % of blunt chest trauma, with a mortality of 10 to 15 %. Treatment is conservative, using analgesia and positive pressure ventilation, or surgical osteosynthesis of rib fractures. We present the case of a 9-year-old girl with blunt chest trauma and flail chest. Computed tomography showed rib fractures from 2nd to 7th left ribs, in middle and anterior arches. Due to inadequate pain management, it was placed in mechanical ventilation. After 72 hours the surgical resolution was decided, osteosynthesis of the 3rd to 7th ribs was performed. The patient evolved favorably. The surgical management allowed reducing days of mechanical ventilation and days of hospitalization.