title: Rib stabilization: lessons learned.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The management of rib fractures and flail chest has changed considerably over the past century, and recently there has been a renewed interest in operative rib stabilization for these injuries. Despite numerous reports suggesting improved outcomes with rib stabilization, there are not well-defined indications and the approach remains somewhat controversial.
  
  
  METHODS
  The authors reflect on their experience of performing rib stabilization in over 100 patients with rib fractures and flail chest.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The authors offer their opinions on this operation with respect to rationale, indications, timing, technique, and postoperative care.
authors.affiliation: Division of Thoracic Surgery, Medical College of Wisconsin, 9200 W Wisconsin Avenue, Milwaukee, WI, 53226, USA. mgasparr@mcw.edu.
authors.forename: M G
authors.initials: MG
authors.lastname: Gasparri
authors.affiliation: Division of Thoracic Surgery, Medical College of Wisconsin, 9200 W Wisconsin Avenue, Milwaukee, WI, 53226, USA.
authors.forename: W B
authors.initials: WB
authors.lastname: Tisol
authors.affiliation: Division of Thoracic Surgery, Medical College of Wisconsin, 9200 W Wisconsin Avenue, Milwaukee, WI, 53226, USA.
authors.forename: G B
authors.initials: GB
authors.lastname: Haasler
keywords: Chest trauma; Flail chest; Rib fractures; Rib stabilization
references.citation: J Thorac Surg. 1956 Sep;32(3):291-311
references.pmid: 13358119
references.citation: Interact Cardiovasc Thorac Surg. 2005 Dec;4(6):583-7
references.pmid: 17670487
references.citation: J Trauma. 2000 Jun;48(6):1040-6; discussion 1046-7
references.pmid: 10866248
references.citation: J Trauma. 1984 May;24(5):410-4
references.pmid: 6716518
references.citation: J Thorac Cardiovasc Surg. 1995 Dec;110(6):1676-80
references.pmid: 8523879
references.citation: J Am Coll Surg. 1998 Aug;187(2):130-8
references.pmid: 9704957
references.citation: J Trauma. 1994 Dec;37(6):975-9
references.pmid: 7996614
references.citation: World J Surg. 2009 Jan;33(1):14-22
references.pmid: 18949513
references.citation: Am Surg. 2000 Oct;66(10):978-81
references.pmid: 11261629
references.citation: Am J Surg. 1985 Sep;150(3):324-6
references.pmid: 4037191
references.citation: J Trauma. 2002 Apr;52(4):727-32; discussion 732
references.pmid: 11956391
references.citation: Ann Thorac Surg. 1990 Jun;49(6):993-5
references.pmid: 2369204
references.citation: Am Surg. 1971 Nov;37(11):667-70
references.pmid: 4940982
references.citation: Indian J Chest Dis. 1973 Oct;15(4):307-11
references.pmid: 4781268
references.citation: J Trauma. 1973 Aug;13(8):663-71
references.pmid: 4720987
references.citation: Ann Thorac Surg. 1975 Apr;19(4):355-63
references.pmid: 235908