Video-assisted Nuss bar insertion to stabilize a flail chest

Surgical stabilization of flail chest decreases mortality, complications and costs. A 48-year-old male sustained a cardiac arrest followed by successful cardio-pulmonary resuscitation. An anterior flail chest due to bilateral rib fractures and a sternal fracture led to respiratory failure. A surgical stabilization of the flail chest was indicated, and a minimally invasive approach was preferred. A titanium plate for the sternum and a Nuss bar for rib fractures were successfully placed, followed by full and prompt recovery. It is an effective and safe procedure since minimizes the surgical trauma with benefits of chest wall stabilization.