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Flail Chest: Causes, Effects, and Management

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Zu Shi
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9 views13 pages

Flail Chest: Causes, Effects, and Management

Uploaded by

Zu Shi
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Chest and Pleural Trauma

Flail Chest
Learning Outcomes:
1. List the anatomic alterations of the lungs
associated with flail chest.
2. Describe the causes of flail chest.
3. Describe the cardiopulmonary clinical
manifestations associated with a flail chest.
4. Describe the general management of a flail
chest.
Major Pathologic Changes of the Lungs
• Double fracture of numerous adjacent ribs
• Rib instability
• Lung volume restriction
• Atelectasis
• Lung collapse (pneumothorax)
• Lung contusion (e.g., from trauma)
• Secondary pneumonia
Etiology of Flail Chest
• Motor vehicle accidents
• Falls
• Blast injury
• Direct compression by a heavy object
• Occupational and industrial accidents
General Management
Mild Cases: analgesia, bronchial hygiene
Severe Cases: mechanical ventilation with
PEEP, paralytics
Respiratory Care Treatment Protocols
Oxygen Therapy Protocol

Lung Expansion Therapy Protocol

Mechanical Ventilation Protocol


Cardiopulmonary Clinical Manifestations
Vital Signs

● Tachypnea
● Tachycardia
● Hypertension
● Cyanosis

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