Rib Fixation for Clinically Severe Rib Fractures From Trauma

Inclusion Criteria: * Flail chest, defined as 3 or more consecutive ribs fractured in more than one place * Pain and disability of an FPS (Functional Pain Scale) rating of 3 or higher * Deformity and Defect * Non-Union * Thoracotomy for other indications * 3 or more rib fractures with rib displacement of more than 1 rib cortical diameter * Failure to wean from ventilator Exclusion Criteria: * Active bacteremia * Active shock * Severe Traumatic Brain Injury with GCS \< 8 * Age 17 years or less or age greater than 90 years old * Chronic pulmonary disease requiring home oxygenation * Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome * Penetrating chest trauma * Chronic opioid dependence * Fractures less than 3cm from vertebral spine