Fracture of Ribs with Internal Fixation

Internal fixation of ribs (including use of RibLoc plates and screws) is covered for stabilization of flail chest, complex rib fractures such as open fractures and symptomatic nonunion, rib fusions, osteotomies, and when stabilization is required during thoracotomy. Routine, uncomplicated rib fractures without instability or persistent symptoms are not typical indications for operative internal fixation; operative indications are described as rare.

"Flail chest—defined as multiple consecutive ribs fractured in two or more places producing an incompetent chest-wall segment—is an indication for internal fixation to stabilize the chest wall."

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