Table 1. Indications for surgical rib stabilization in severe blunt chest trauma.
| Acute respiratory failure attributable to fractures and refractory to medical management |
| Acute pain attributable to fractures and refractory to medical management |
| Anticipated chronic pain/impaired pulmonary mechanics (anatomic considerations) |
| Flail chest: 3 or more contiguous ribs with 2+ fractures |
| ≥3 severely displaced, bicortical fractures |
| Loss of ≥30% chest wall volume |
| Exposure required for additional thoracic procedures |