title: Modern concepts in the management of flail chest.
abstract: Seven patients with varying degrees of paradoxical chest wall movement (flail chest) were managed conservatively at the University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital with frusemide, methylprednisolone, non administration of crystalloid fluids and limitation of fluid intake. Patients showed considerable improvement within the first 24-48 hours which was sustained throughout the period of management. All seven survived and showed no signs of respiratory distress in the resting state or while performing simple exercise. One patient however had slight to moderate chestwall deformity.
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital, Nigeria.
authors.forename: E D
authors.initials: ED
authors.lastname: Mangete
authors.forename: B B
authors.initials: BB
authors.lastname: Kombo
authors.forename: U
authors.initials: U
authors.lastname: Igbaseimokumo
authors.forename: R N
authors.initials: RN
authors.lastname: Nwosu
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D015505:Chest Tubes; D002985:Clinical Protocols / Q000592:standards*; D005409:Flail Chest / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy*; D005665:Furosemide / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006785:Hospitals, University; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008775:Methylprednisolone / Q000627:therapeutic use; D009549:Nigeria; D011859:Radiography; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D005665:Furosemide; D008775:Methylprednisolone