[Compared results of flail chests treatments : standard internal pneumatic stabilization, new technics of assisted ventilation, osteosynthesis (author's transl)].

The analysis of 170 cases of flail chests, divide into three groups according to the type of treatment, proves the efficiency of the new technics of assisted ventilation and of the osteosynthesis by Judet clasps. The most significant advantages of those two complementary methods are a lowered mortality rate and a reduced frequency of refractory hypoxy and infectious complications.