Doctor insights on:
Flail Chest In Children
Trauma: Flail chest is caused by trauma to the chest, typically blunt force injury. The ribs are broken with this injury creating a situation in which it can be quite painful to breathe. Underlying injuries to the lungs and heart and structures in the chest may be associated with this and can help determine the managent strategy required. ...Read more
Pain control: Flail chest is generally treated with pain control to allow the patient to cough, deep breathe and clear any secretions. Pain control can be obtained with IV narcotics, oral narcotics, subcutaneous pain pumps or an epidural catheter. Recently, there has been increased interest in fixing the ribs with plates. The jury is still out on this but is appropriate in the right patient. ...Read more
Rib fractures: A flail chest occurs when several ribs adjacent to each other ate fractured and a segment of the chest wall are then able to move paradoxically. During inhalation, the fractured ribs are sucked inward and during exhalation, they move outward which is opposite of the normal rib movements ...Read more
Not get one: Flail chest is when 2 or 3 or more ribs are fractured in 2 or more places (definition varies). Major issues are controlling pain and maintaining oxygenation. Ribs will heal on their own usually-take 12 weeks, cause they move when we breathe. For severe cases, we utilize titanium plates internally screwed into the ribs to stabilize them. This is becoming a more common procedure in the last 10 years ...Read more
See below: Flail chest, multiple ribs fractured in multiple places on one side of the chest, can cause inability of the lung to expand on that side. Usually ventilator support and underlying lung healing will allow the ribs to heal on their own. Rarely surgery is needed to fixate the ribs if there is too much damage or lack of self-healing. Chest wound is treated with cleaning, suturing only if appropriate. ...Read more
Flail chest: Dangerous condition that occurs when part of rib cage breaks from the rest of the chest wall. This is usually due to trauma to the chest wall. ...Read more
Until you're better: Ribs have to heal sufficiently to allow the thorax to function well enough for you to reliably breath on your own. Probably weeks. ...Read more
I agree: I agree with the other definitions above, but to be more specific, a flail chest is defined as three or more consecutive segmental rib fractures. This means the ribs are broken in two or more spots. ...Read more
See below: Pericardial tamponade is a serious emergency problem of fluid or blood collection in the sac around the heart, causing heart dysfunction. Myocardial contusion is a potentially serious condition of direct trauma and bruising of the heart muscle. Flail chest is a serious problem of multiple rib fractures in several locations on one side of the chest resulting in the lung to not expand correctly. ...Read more
1st rib removed. 2-4 resectioned. 5-6 separated from sternum. Is there danger in having 2-4 resection again? I have flail chest.
We were told he has a broken sternum, But paperwork also says closed fractures of multiple ribs with flail chest, What exactly does that mean?
Chest trauma: Has multiple broken ribs and broken sternum. ...Read more
I had an auto accident one year ago flail chest I continue to have labored breathing, pain, pain (feels like meat fork when I lay down)?
See your doctor: If you are having significant breathing issues, you should see your physician. ...Read more
For one rescuer: 30 compressions and 2 breaths ratio;
for 2 rescuers: 15 compressions and 2 breaths ratio. ...Read more
Sort of, and yes: Paraplegics have little or no sensation during sexual activity. Both men and women can have leg spasms, which make body positioning challenging. Men usually no longer have any or adequate erections. Fertility in paraplegic women is not changed. With a paraplegic man, there are special ways to collect sperm, which doctors can then put into his wife to create a pregnancy. ...Read more
After I had my son my breast have literally sagged and I almost look flat chested I'm only 21! I want more children too?
Kids: The change you've described sounds normal after childbirth and nursing. There is no reason why you can't have more kids. ...Read more
Fluids: Add nebulize saline.Get a more detailed answer ›
Cough in chidren sma: Small children unfortunately can not cough up the mucus and the just swallow it, which is ok, as it does not cause any ill effects. Cough in small children should not be suppressed, but if there is coexisting bronchospasm or pneumonia it should be appropritely treated. There is no need for cough medicines in this age group as it does not help much and can be harmful. ...Read more
Is nebulization with ventolin during streptococcal tonsillitis and cough helflul in children around 4 for avoiding further chest complications?
Wouldn't: I wouldn't do this unless the kid had a tendency to wheeze with upper respiratory infections. ...Read more
Do older children get bronchiolitis? Most of what I'm reading says younger children get it, but my 6 yr old was diagnosed w/it after ER chest xray.
Yes: Actually, even an adult can get bronchiolitis, although that is very unusual. But children can certainly get it, especially if they have underlying respiratory conditions like asthma of cystic fibrosis, or if they live in areas with lots of respiratory irritants like smoke or dust. Supportive care is all that is needed for most cases. Make sure they drink lots of fluids, keep environment clean! ...Read more
My 2yr old has a little bit of hives rash in his whole belly&chest since last night, I gave him children's benedryl last night. How lng wil it go away?
Hives in a 2 year ol: If the child is itching it could be allergic reaction, the hives will keep coming back as long as he is still exposed to the offending agent, red raised blotches that keep coming back could also be erythema infectiosum, a viral illness also known as 5th disease can last for several wks. Your pediatrician can check him & run blood work to make the Dx. Good luck. ...Read more
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