title: Use of 3.5-mm acetabular reconstruction plates for internal fixation of flail chest injuries.
abstract: The technique of using 3.5-mm acetabular reconstruction plates for multiple rib fractures with cerclage wires has been successful. We modified it by securing the reconstruction plates to the fractured ribs with cortical screws using the standard AO-ASIF (Arbeitsgemeindschaft fur Osteosynthesefragen [Association for the Study of Internal Fixation]) group technique. Our method for the internal fixation of the unstable chest wall is described. It is relatively simple and provides uniform results.
authors.affiliation: Section of Cardiothoracic Surgery, University of Medicine and Dentistry, New Jersey Medical School, Newark, USA. oyarzujr@umdnj.edu
authors.forename: J R
authors.initials: JR
authors.lastname: Oyarzun
authors.forename: A P
authors.initials: AP
authors.lastname: Bush
authors.forename: J R
authors.initials: JR
authors.lastname: McCormick
authors.forename: P J
authors.initials: PJ
authors.lastname: Bolanowski
mesh_terms: D001860:Bone Plates; D001863:Bone Screws; D001864:Bone Wires; D002423:Cause of Death; D003475:Curettage; D005409:Flail Chest / Q000601:surgery*; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D005593:Fracture Fixation, Internal / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000379:methods; D006801:Humans; D012253:Rib Fractures / Q000601:surgery*; D013898:Thoracic Injuries / Q000601:surgery; D013908:Thoracotomy