[Preservation and improvement of chest wall function].

Anterolateral multiple rib fractures near xiphoid process impaired mechanical linkage which resists distortion between pulmonary (upper) and abdominal (lower) rib cage resulting in flail chest. Repair of fractured ribs with ceramic pins improved phase shift between the diaphragm and the rib cage and the amplitude of the injured rib cage motion, and decreased rib cage distortion. Asymmetrical motion of lower rib and upper abdomen which suggested impairment of the diaphragm action on the abdominal rib cage was found in three patients whose emphysematous bullae were located in the middle and lower lung fields, and disappeared after bullectomy. To control the pressure in the pleural cavity after pneumonectomy from excessive negative pressure to atmospheric pressure with SF6 improved pulmonary function. Chest wall function can be preserved on the basis of functional anatomy and physiology of the chest wall.