Prise en charge d'un patient ayant des fractures de côtes

Rib fracture is a common entity after thoracic trauma that could be isolated or associated to visceral lesions in polytrauma patients. Patients having rib fractures should be evaluated repeatedly for signs and symptoms of respiratory failure. Ultrasonography is worth performing at bedside to check for visceral lesions and their follow-up. Flail chest may induce respiratory failure and may require surgical fixation. A rib cage fracture is always painful and requires adapted pain control strategy including the use of continuous paravertebral block.