title: [Treatment in unstable thorax. Case report].
abstract: 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.
authors.affiliation: Hospital General "La Villa". jmatusj@hotmail.com
authors.forename: Juan
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Matus Jiménez
authors.forename: Gustavo
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Carbajal Aguilar
authors.forename: Juan Francisco
authors.initials: JF
authors.lastname: Alonso Macías
authors.forename: Mauricio
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Domínguez Sosa
authors.forename: Martín
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Molina Medinilla
authors.forename: Cecilia
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Henríquez Avalos
mesh_terms: D002358:Cartilage, Articular / Q000293:injuries* / Q000601:surgery*; D050723:Fractures, Bone / Q000601:surgery; D006801:Humans; D004204:Joint Dislocations / Q000601:surgery; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009104:Multiple Trauma / Q000601:surgery*; D019637:Orthopedic Procedures / Q000379:methods; D012253:Rib Fractures / Q000601:surgery*; D013249:Sternum / Q000293:injuries* / Q000601:surgery*; D013898:Thoracic Injuries / Q000601:surgery*; D014949:Wounds, Nonpenetrating / Q000601:surgery*