A flail chest occurs when an isolated segment of the chest wall loses bony continuity with the rest of the thoracic cage. This is usually as a result of multiple rib fractures. In other words, the flail chest can be defined as two or more ribs fractured in two or more places (Figure 1).

What is the meaning of flail chest?

Flail chest describes a situation in which a portion of the rib cage is separated from the rest of the chest wall, usually due to a severe blunt trauma, such as a serious fall or a car accident.

What is the first aid treatment for a flail chest?

Stabilize the flail chest. Use a hard pad to put pressure on the flail segment. Holding the flail segment in place keeps it from moving in an opposite direction as the surrounding muscle and bone. Sit the conscious casualty down leaning towards the injured side.