[Surgical treatment of the flail chest (author's transl)].

Six patients with traumatic flail chest underwent surgical stabilization using a procedure introduced by Brunner, Hoffmeister and Koncz (2). Compared with internal stabilization by intermittend positive pressure respiration (IPPR), there are some advantages: Time of artificial respiration is shortened, early mobilization is possible, nursing is easier. The procedure is simple to do and is indicated in those patients, in whom longterm artificial respiration is not necessary for other reasons.