Introduction

• Cause: rib fracture due to trauma.
  In all cases of traumatic injury warn owner of potential complications at time of injury.
• Signs: solitary fracture rarely serious; multiple and segmental fractures → severe instability → flail chest.
• Diagnosis: clinical signs and radiography.
• Treatment: stabilize flail segment.
• Prognosis: always guarded as acute deterioration is likely.

Pathogenesis

Etiology

• Trauma → rib fracture.

Pathophysiology

• Multiple/segmental rib fracture → severe instability → 'paradoxical' movement, thoracic wall sucked in on inspiration and blown out on expiration ('flail chest') → hypoxia, hypercapnia.

Timecourse

• Acute following trauma.

Diagnosis

Treatment

Outcomes