Refractory infection after internal fixation for rib fractures.

The infection of internal fixation devices of rib fractures is rare. Once happened, it is usually severe. Existing literature indicates that removal of infected hardware is essential for the clearance of refractory infection. We report a rare case of a patient accepted operation for rib fractures. However, his hardware infection was not controlled after the removal of internal fixation devices, until the necrotic ribs were removed by the third surgery.