Objectives: Conservative management of rib fractures has been the standard of care. Recently, surgical fixation with rib plating is emerging as a superior option for flail chest (FC) and multiple rib fractures. This review details our experience with surgical fixation. Materials and Methods: The medical records of 18 patients with severe chest wall injuries referred to the cardiothoracic surgery service at a level 1 trauma center from January 2010 to December 2015 were retrospectively reviewed. 66.7% were male, mean age 58.4 ± 14.5, Glasgow Coma Score 13.3 ± 3.3, and injury severity score 20.4 ± 11.7. 77.8% (14/18) had multiple rib fractures, half with FC, 22.2% (4/18) sternal fractures, and 61.1% of patients were involved in motor vehicle accident. All patients underwent surgical stabilization except three with isolated sternal fractures treated conservatively. Results: 3.4 ± 0.5 ribs were plated in FC versus 2.4 ± 0.5 in non-FC patients. 64.2% had concomitant decortication and 7.1% lung wedge resection. All FC patients had severe lung contusion and respiratory failure requiring preoperative mechanical ventilation mean 10.7 ± 7.9 days. Postoperative ventilatory support was 7.4 ± 4.9 days in FC versus <24 h in non-FC patients. 57.1% of FC patients required tracheostomy for prolonged intubation. Mean interval to surgery, Intensive Care Unit, and hospital length of stay (LOS) was 13.3 ± 5.3, 22.4 ± 14.9, and 29.7 ± 9.2 in FC versus 5.3 ± 3.8, 10.3 ± 10.4, and 14.3 ± 9.3 days, respectively, in non-FC patients. 85.7% received blood transfusion, mean 5.7 ± 3.7 in FC versus 42.8% mean 3.7 ± 0.6 units in non-FC patients. Morbidity in FC patients were pneumonia 42.8%, empyema 14.2%, ARDS 14.2%, and acute kidney injury (AKI) 14.2% compared to non-FC patients AKI 25.0% and empyema 12.5%. There were no deaths. Conclusions: Rib plating of complicated chest wall injuries may reduce morbidity, hospital LOS, chronic disability, and should be considered in FC and multiple rib fractures.