[Treatment in unstable thorax. Case report].

We present 45 years-old male patient with bilateral luxation of all costochondral joints due to a compression mechanism while he was working beneath a car and the support was lost. He presented with floating sternum and ventilatory compromise among other injuries. Initially he was intubated and the costochondral joints were temporary fixated with dexon suture while making counter balance with 2 kg. As he was on positive pressure ventilation, lungs reexpanded we decided to place three anchors in each side of the sternum, fixated to an external aluminum support. After 10 days out of the intensive care unit, he was discharged and seen every 2 weeks. The anchors were retired in week number four and after 3 months he reintegrated to normal labor and daily activities, with limitation on flexo-extension of the left elbow by arthrogryposis.