Chennai: A 42-year-old man who suffered multiple rib fractures, a fractured breastbone and a severe chest injury in a road accident recovered after doctors at SRM Global Hospitals performed a life-saving chest wall reconstruction. The advanced surgery restored the stability of his chest, allowing him to breathe normally again.The accident left the man with a flail chest, a life-threatening condition in which a section of the rib cage moves abnormally during breathing, making it difficult for the lungs to expand. He also sustained a lung injury and was admitted in critical condition.Dr Vijayan, who led the Trauma and Acute Care Surgery team along with Dr Abdul Hakeem and Dr Vishnu, said such injuries can rapidly become fatal as the unstable chest wall severely affects breathing. “The fractured ribs and sternum were close to the heart and major blood vessels, making the surgery highly challenging. The minimally invasive VATS-assisted approach allowed us to precisely stabilise the fractures, reduce pain and speed up recovery,” he said.
