Flail Chest

A medical emergency in which two or more ribs are broken, each in at least two places; or a fracture or separation of the ribs from the breastbone producing a free-floating segment.

The area between the fractures move in the oppisite direction of the rest of the chest when breathing.

This segment is called the "flail area," its motion is opposite the rest of the chest. The area between the fractures moves in the opposite direction of the rest of the chest when breathing.

This condition can be life-threatening because it may bruise the lung beneath the flail area. The bone ends may also puncture a lung and cause severe bleeding and shock. It may be difficult to detect a flail chest in an obese or muscular victim.

If the victim has a flail chest, do the following:

• Establish and maintain the airway, breathing, and circulation (ABC's).
• Gently feel the chest to locate the edges of the flail area.
• Stabilize the flail area with a pad of dressings or a pillow and secure with wide bandages.
• Position the victim with the flail area against an external object in a semi-sitting position or lying on the injured side.
• Treat for shock.
• Seek medical assistance immediately.