What is a potential complication of untreated flail chest?

A flail chest is a serious condition that occurs when three or more adjacent ribs are fractured in multiple places, leading to a segment of the chest wall that moves independently from the rest of the thoracic cage during breathing. This can result in significant respiratory compromise and various complications if not treated appropriately.

Untreated flail chest can lead to respiratory failure as the instability of the chest wall impairs effective ventilation. The paradoxical movement of the chest wall segment can decrease tidal volume, leading to hypoventilation, inadequate gas exchange, and ultimately respiratory failure.

In addition, the risk of pneumothorax is heightened in a patient with flail chest due to potential lung injury or rib punctures. A pneumothorax occurs when air leaks into the pleural space, which can further compromise respiratory function and may require emergency intervention.

Moreover, the presence of a flail chest increases the risk of infection, particularly pneumonia, due to reduced lung function and impaired clearance of secretions. The retained secretions can serve as a medium for bacterial growth, leading to infectious complications.

Since all of these complications—respiratory failure, pneumothorax, and infection—can arise from untreated flail chest, the most comprehensive answer that includes these possibilities