To fix or let them flail: the who, what and when of rib fixation.

Rib fractures occur in 10% of traumatic injuries and are a common source of morbidity and mortality. Mortality rates for rib fractures remain alarmingly high. Despite increasing literature in support of surgical stabilization of rib fracture (SSRF), acceptance and incorporation of SSRF as the standard of care has not occurred across trauma centers. This expert review highlights the 'who, what and when' of SSRF and argues for SSRF as the gold standard for the restoration of form and function following chest wall injury.