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At least 703 records · Page 39Linked to original sources
PubMed1991

Lung abscess: CT-guided drainage.

Lung abscesses were drained by means of catheters guided by computed tomography (CT) in 19 patients who still had sepsis despite standard medical therapy; all patients had received antibiotics for at least 5 days, and 11 of the 19 patients had undergone bronchoscopy. The abscess was cured (by clinical and radiographic criteria) in all 19 patients (100%), and surgery was avoided in 16 of the 19 patients (84%). Three patients underwent surgery for removal of organized tissue or decortication after the lung abscess was evacuated. Complications included a hemothorax that required a chest tube in one patient and three minor complications (a clogged catheter in two patients and transient elevation of intracerebral pressure in one patient). The hemothorax occurred in one of two patients in whom the catheter traversed normal lung. The percutaneous drainage catheters traversed juxtaposed abnormal pleura on route to the abscess in 17 of the patients. CT-guided drainage of lung abscess is an effective method to treat lung abscesses that are refractory to conventional therapy; the procedure should obviate major operation in most patients. A catheter route through abscess-pleural syndesis is preferable, and CT is useful for planning this route.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1994

Thoracic endometriosis. Recurrence following hysterectomy with bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy and successful treatment with talc pleurodesis.

This is a report of an unusual patient who had four of the five manifestations of thoracic endometriosis, including right pneumothorax, left hemothorax, chest pain, and hemoptysis. This patient shows that recurrence of symptoms can occur while a patient is receiving hormonal replacement therapy even after hysterectomy and bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy; estrogen replacement should probably be delayed for several months to allow complete regression of the ectopic endometrial tissue. Alternatively, chemical pleurodesis can be effective in treating recurrent pneumothorax or hemothorax while the patient is receiving hormonal replacement. Bilateral pleural involvement and hemoptysis suggest microembolization of endometrial tissue as the pathogenic mechanism for thoracic endometriosis.

Adult↗
PubMed1996

Percutaneous technique for management of persistent airspace with prolonged air leak using fibrin glue.

A 68-year-old white man with lung carcinoma underwent removal of the lower lobe of the left lung. Four months later, the patient developed a hemothorax requiring exploratory thoracotomy, evacuation of hemothorax, and decortication. Postoperatively a persistent airspace with prolonged air leak developed. Bronchoscopic application of fibrin glue failed to seal the leak. Percutaneous transthoracic application of fibrin glue with CT scan guidance partially obliterated the space and completely sealed the leak. We describe this simple and effective technique for management of this special problem.

Adenocarcinoma↗
PubMed2005

Oral forms of tetracycline and doxycycline are effective in producing pleurodesis.

PURPOSES: We investigated whether oral tetracyclines could produce an efficient and safe pleurodesis as does parenteral doxycycline, which is currently unavailable in many countries. METHODS: Parenteral doxycycline (10 mg/kg), oral tetracycline (35 mg/kg), or doxycycline (10 mg/kg) was injected intrapleurally through a right chest tube in rabbits. The oral forms were dissolved in saline solution and passed through a sterile membrane filter. When daily aspirated pleural fluid was < 5 mL/24 h, the chest tube was removed. Fluid WBC, lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), and protein levels were measured 24 h after the injection. After the death of the animals on day 14, pleurodesis was graded from 1 (none) to 8 (> 50% symphysis) by two observers blinded to treatment groups. RESULTS: The right pleurodesis score of the combined oral groups (median, 7.0; interquartile range [IQR], 4.0; n = 26) did not differ significantly (p = 0.349) from that of the parenteral group (median, 7.5; IQR, 6.0; n = 10). Oral tetracycline (capsule or tablet, n = 6 in each group) and doxycycline (capsule or tablet, n = 7 in each group) were as effective as parenteral doxycycline in producing pleurodesis: tetracycline capsule (median, 7.50; IQR, 6.00); tetracycline tablet (median, 6.50; IQR, 6.00); doxycycline capsule (median, 4.00; IQR, 1.00); doxycycline tablet (median, 8.00; IQR, 5.00), and parenteral doxycycline (median, 7.50; IQR, 6.00) [p = 0.235]. The left pleurodesis scores were 1.00 in all 36 rabbits. Fluid total volume, WBC, LDH, and protein levels were comparable between each oral and parenteral group, excluding WBCs in the tetracycline tablet group (p = 0.047). The complications were nonfatal (right hemothorax: tetracycline capsule [n = 3]/tetracycline tablet [n = 2], doxycycline tablet [n = 2], parenteral doxycycline [n = 2]; left hemothorax: tetracycline capsule [n = 1]; ascites: parenteral doxycycline [n = 1]). There was no growth on all filtrate cultures. Oral forms cost less than parenteral doxycycline (<1 US dollar vs 4.72 US dollars per rabbit). Filtering costs were 1.12 US dollars per rabbit. CONCLUSION: Oral tetracycline or doxycycline is as effective and safe as parenteral doxycycline in producing pleurodesis in rabbits; thus, they may also be used in humans.

Administration, Oral↗
PubMed2003

Acute severe hemorrhage secondary to arterial invasion in a dog with thyroid carcinoma.

A 7-year-old spayed female Labrador Retriever was referred because of progressive swelling and bruising of the neck, hemothorax, a possible mediastinal mass, and stridor. At the time of admission, the dog was recumbent, mentally dull, tachycardic, and hypothermic. Fluid therapy with hydroxyethyl starch and a balanced electrolyte solution was administered because of presumed hypovolemic shock secondary to hemorrhage; multiple units of packed RBCs and fresh frozen plasma were also administered. On the basis of the computed tomographic images, extensive subcutaneous, subfascial, and cranial mediastinal hemorrhage; hemothorax; prescapular lymphadenopathy; and a contrast-enhancing mass in the left cranioventral aspect of the neck were diagnosed. Exploratory surgery of the neck was performed. All subcutaneous structures were encased in a large blood clot. During dissection of the clot, pulsatile bleeding was observed just caudal to and to the left of the larynx; ligation of the left common carotid artery resulted in immediate cessation of the pulsatile bleeding. Further surgical exploration revealed a 2.5 x 2.5-cm mass adhered to the left common carotid artery at the level of the branching to the left cranial thyroid artery. The mass was removed; the histologic diagnosis was thyroid carcinoma. Three weeks after surgery, treatment with a combination of radiation and chemotherapy (doxorubicin and carboplatin) was begun. Thirteen months after surgery, the dog continued to be free from clinical signs of disease.

Animals↗
PubMed1999

Blunt trauma-induced internal thoracic artery injury: case report.

We report the case of a 54-year-old male motorcyclist with an apparent grade IV liver injury and life-threatening hemomediastinum and right hemothorax following blunt deceleration trauma. Massive hemothorax and an unstable hemodynamic status even under copious blood volume replacement made emergent surgical intervention mandatory. A midline laparotomy was performed at first to rule out abdominal bleeding accompanied by a diaphragmatic tear, but the procedure was soon converted to a thoracotomy after finding an intact diaphragm and persistent bleeding from the chest tube. An isolated internal thoracic artery (ITA) transection was identified. It was actively bleeding and causing a huge anterior mediastinal hematoma and had ruptured into the right pleural cavity. The bleeder was controlled with suture ligation and the hemodynamic status was soon stabilized. The patient recovered without significant sequelae. The rarity of this kind of presentation is discussed, including both the ITA injury mechanism and the problems posed in making an early and correct diagnosis.

Humans↗
PubMed1999

[The role of computed tomography in gunshot lesions of the chest. The authors' personal experience].

PURPOSE: CT is a valuable tool in assessing thoracic gunshot wounds. CT is also the method of choice in emergency, because it permits rapid depiction of bullet damage to the chest and to other body districts. This in turn permits correct assessment of the main thoracic injuries, plus adequate and prompt planning of surgical treatment or support intensive care. We report on the role of CT in diagnosing the complex pleuropulmonary, cardiovascular and thoracic wall injuries caused by gunshot wounds, with their specific and acute signs which differ greatly from those of other types of chest trauma. MATERIAL AND METHODS: In the last 4 years, we observed 76 cases of gunshot injury, twenty-six of them involved the chest. The patients, 25 men and 1 woman (mean age: 32 years, range: 17-48), were all submitted to emergency CT with i.v. contrast agent injection and the CT-angiography technique. The reanimator was always present to monitor the patients' vital functions and shock state. CT of the chest was integrated with CT of the abdomen and pelvis in 4 cases and with CT of the skull in 3 cases, to detect associated bullet wounds if any. RESULTS: The most frequent CT finding was lung parenchyma tear and bruise (25 cases), followed by hemothorax (18 cases) and subcutaneous chest wall emphysema (9 cases). Pneumothorax was seen in 5 cases, associated with hemothorax in 6; rib injuries were found in 7 cases; pneumomediastinum was found in 4 cases and areas of pulmonary atelectasis in 3; the diaphragm was ruptured in 4 cases. CT showed spinal involvement in 11 patients, with injury of D3 and D5 in 4 and 3 cases, respectively; signs of interrupted spinal marrow were found in 7 cases. Damage from gunshot wounds was detected in the liver, spleen, skull and limbs in 3, 2, 3 and 10 cases, respectively. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSIONS: Chest radiography shows major gunshot wound damage to the chest and lungs, except for heart injuries and minimal pneumothorax. When abdominal and skull injuries are associated, CT should be the method of choice because it permits prompt and panoramic assessment of the severity of pulmonary and extrathoracic damage. This results in prompt and targeted treatment, avoiding unnecessary delays which may damage the patient further.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2000

[Aortic intramural hematoma: aspects with spiral computerized tomography].

PURPOSE: To evaluate the signs of aortic intramural hematoma with helical CT and the diagnostic role of this technique in patients with this condition. MATERIAL AND METHODS: We reviewed the CT findings of 396 patients submitted to emergency examinations for suspected aortic dissection from 1995 to 1999. Only 18 patients (6 women and 12 men) had CT signs of aortic intramural hematoma. Helical CT studies were carried out with the following parameters: slice thickness 10 mm, reconstruction index 10, feed 1.5 mm, conventional algorithm with minimum values of 130 kV and 125 mA. All patients were examined with dynamic contrast-enhanced CT, before and after a power injection of 130 mL ionic contrast material. We studied: hematoma localization and longitudinal extension; thickness and density of aortic wall; presence and location of intimal calcifications; integrity of intimal wall; hemomediastinum and/or hemothorax. RESULTS: Aortic wall thickening appeared as a high density crescent-shaped area at baseline CT and had low density on enhanced images in all patients. Thickening was eccentric in 14/18 patients and concentric in 4/18 only; it always exceeded 4 mm. We found some intimal calcifications in 8 patients and hemothorax and/or hemomediastinum in 9 patients. A patient with type A hematoma died of cardiac tamponade a few hours after CT diagnosis. Six patients (5 type B and 1 type A) underwent anti-hypertensive treatment and radiological follow-up. Eleven patients (6 type A and 5 type B) underwent prosthesis replacement and 5 of them (3 type A and 2 type B) died of postoperative complications. In the 5 type B patients surgery was performed because of treatment-resistant pain and of the onset of ischemic complications to abdominal organs caused by involvement of the main collateral branches of the aorta. One patient with type A hematoma was submitted to drug treatment because it was judged unresectable. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSIONS: Intramural hematoma of the aorta is a distinct pathological entity, which should not be confused with aortic dissection. The imaging techniques (TEE, CT, MRI) have an important role in the final diagnosis of aortic hematoma. Presently Helical CT and MR angiography are the main tools in the early diagnosis of this condition before the development of complications. In our experience helical CT, before and after the administration of contrast material, was accurate in identifying the hematoma localization and extension.

Aged↗
PubMed2002

Intraoperative insertion of Greenfield filters: lessons learned in a personal series of 152 cases.

The objective of this study was to define outcomes of 151 patients who underwent insertion of 152 Greenfield filters in the operating room by general and vascular surgery residents with supervision by one attending vascular surgeon. Each patient was taken to the operating room for inferior vena cava (IVC) interruption immediately after a vena cavagram was performed. One patient required a subsequent return to the operating room after developing paradoxical arterial embolism from a large venous thromboembolism which was trapped by and spanned both sides of the first IVC filter. In this case a second suprarenal filter was placed at the time of arterial embolectomy. In each of these 152 cases intraoperative venacavography was performed using a mobile C-arm. Complications such as hemothorax, filter misplacement, and vena cava perforation were identified. Late survival was defined using the Social Security Death Index. Of the 151 patients undergoing intraoperative insertion of Greenfield filters there was one hemothorax from attempts at acquiring venous access via percutaneous puncture of the internal jugular vein. This required transfusion but not thoracotomy, and IVC interruption was achieved. A separate patient had insertion of a Greenfield filter into a gonadal vein which required placement of a second filter into the IVC. There was one IVC perforation from a transfemoral filter insertion which required placement of a second filter above this perforation and laparotomy to retrieve the filter and repair the IVC. In one more patient the IVC filter initially failed to open, and a second filter was placed above the first filter. In this experience the misplacement rate was 0.7 per cent and the serious complication rate was 1.3 per cent. None of the patients was adversely affected per se by transfer to the operating room for Greenfield filter insertion. No patient died from filter insertion, but in two cases serious associated complications contributed to the adverse outcomes in these already terminally ill patients. Overall 30-day mortality rate was 6.6 per cent. Late survival was defined as follows: survival at one year after filter insertion was 75 per cent, at 2 years 63 per cent, at 3 years 60 per cent, at 4 years 57 per cent, and at 5 years 54 per cent. Mean survival after filter placement was 4.96 years. We conclude that Greenfield filters can be inserted in the operating room by general and vascular surgery residents with attending supervision with reasonable safety and with a low rate of filter misplacement. The caval perforation and gonadal vein filter misplacement could both have been avoided by use of an over-the-wire filter deployment system, which at the time of these specific complications was not available. Vena cava filter insertion should remain within the scope of practice of surgeons and can be done with reasonable safety under C-arm guidance in the operating room. Use of over-the-wire systems could have helped reduce the likelihood of all but one of the filter-related complications experienced in this series.

Adult↗
PubMed2003

[Coronary artery bypass graft for patients with ascending aorta atherosclerosis].

OBJECTIVE: The increasing number of aged patients with severe ascending aorta atherosclerosis who are undergoing coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) present high risk for ascending aortic cannulation, cross-clamping or partial occluding and proximal anastomosis. We reviewed the surgical experience in 22 patients of CABG with ascending aorta atherosclerosis and tried to find the way to minimize the complications. METHODS: Twenty-two patients with severe atherosclerotic and calcified ascending aorta underwent CABG in our hospital. Thirteen of them received CABG on beating heart. Nine patients had their CABG with extracorporeal circulation. With deep hypothermia, we reduced the flow rate and intermittently arrested the circulation for the proximal anastomosis on ascending aorta in 5 patients with neither cross-clamping nor partial occluding. The sequential grafts and "Y" type anastomosis between reversed saphenous venous grafts were employed. RESULTS: Twenty of the patients survived after surgery. One died of inhalation pneumonia in two weeks after surgery. Another died of right hemothorax in ten days after surgery. The complications include: pneumonia 4 patients (18%), angina 2 patients (9%), ventricular fibrillation 1 patients (5%), post-CABG myocardium infarction 1 case (5%) and hemothorax 1 case (5%). There is no neurologic complications or aortic dissection after CABG. CONCLUSION: CABG on beating heart with pedicel arterial grafts is the best approach to performing the surgery without touching the diseased ascending aorta. Ventricular fibrillation under mild hypothermia cardiopulmonary bypass and left ventricular suction were employed for quiet and bloodless field while distal anastomosis had no cross-clamping the ascending aorta. Also deep hypothermia and intermittently circulatory arrest offer quiet and bloodless field for the proximal anastomosis on ascending aorta without cross-clamping or partial-occluding. Distal sequential anastomosis and proximal "Y" type anastomosis are the effective approach to minimizing the proximal anastomosis on the ascending aorta.

Aged↗
PubMed1992

[A sharp edge of the fractured ribs caused the aortic injury at body-position change: a case report].

The reported patient was a 37-year-old male, who got a blunt chest trauma by a motor vehicle accident. Chest X-ray and computed tomography of the chest revealed bilateral multiple rib-fractures, pneumo-hemothorax, lung contusions, but no evidence of mediastinal hematoma. Since respiratory distress with a flail chest was observed, the patient was placed on an artificial ventilation, and thoracocentesis were also done on both sides, while the hemodynamics was fairly maintained with blood transfusion. On the 10th hospital day, however, he suddenly fell into a deep shock with the left hemothorax by changing the body position. Emergency thoracotomy demonstrated the laceration of the descending aorta, that was considered to be made by the sharp edge of the fractured left 8th rib, which correspondingly protruded into the thoracic cavity toward the aorta. The repair of the aortic injury and the resection of the rib edges were performed. He was discharged on the 45th hospital day. In cases with a blunt chest trauma, the majority of the causes of the traumatic aortic injury are reported to be "deceleration injury". Although the considered mechanism of the traumatic rupture of the thoracic aorta in this case is extremely rare, it should be taken into a consideration for treatment of the cases with a blunt chest trauma and multiple rib-fractures.

Adult↗
PubMed1992

Emergency central venous catheterization during resuscitation of trauma patients.

Central venous catheterization during resuscitation of trauma patients remains controversial. Such catheterizations performed at the UMDNJ-Robert Wood Johnson Medical School at Camden Cooper Hospital/University Medical Center (Camden, NJ) trauma center for the period January 1, 1988 to December 31, 1989 were retrospectively reviewed. Patients with underlying hemothorax, pneumothorax, or resuscitative thoracotomy were excluded. There were 269 catheters inserted using the Seldinger technique. Catheters were placed via the internal jugular or subclavian veins by attending traumatologists or emergency medicine and surgical house staff under direct attending supervision. Of 238 patients ages 6 to 90 years, 156 were men. Mean Trauma Score and Injury Severity Score were 9 and 30, respectively. Patients were divided into two groups: patients undergoing cardiopulmonary resuscitation or in shock (systolic bp less than 90) during resuscitation (Group 1: n - 161); and patients not in shock (Group 2: n - 77). Thirty patients (Group 1a) expired in the resuscitation area. The remainder (Group 1b) with 150 catheterizations had 12 complications (8%): pneumothorax (8), hemothorax (1), and malposition (3). Group 2, with 80 catheterizations, had 6 complications (7.5%): pneumothorax (4), hematoma (1), and malposition (1). The complication rate for patients surviving the resuscitation (230 catheterizations) was 7.8 per cent. There were no catheter-related deaths. In conclusion, emergency central venous catheterization during resuscitation of trauma patients carries a relatively low risk of serious complications when performed by experienced physicians.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1992

[Surgical indications of pulmonary arteriovenous fistulae in Osler disease].

Hereditary hemorrhagic teleangiectasia (HHT) is known to be associated in 15% with pulmonary arterio-venous fistulas (PAVF). Symptoms and complications of these fistulas are: hemoptysis, dyspnea, hemothorax, cerebral embolization and brain abscess. We studied a family with 7 members known to have HHT. 3 had PAVF. Patient 1 died of a hemothorax and pleural empyema. PAVF were diagnosed at autopsy. Patient 2 (nephew) suffered from a cerebellar abscess. The fistula-bearing part of the lung was removed by wedge resection. Patient 3 (son of the former) had no symptoms, but the arterial PO2 was 6.7 kPa. In order to prevent complications like in his father, the patient was operated. A lobar resection was necessary to remove the fistula. The postoperative course was eventless in patients 2 and 3. We conclude, that periodical thorax X-ray studies are indicated for all members of families with HHT in order to find PAVF before complications occur. The classical treatment is resection of the fistula with as little lung tissue as possible. Good results have been reported lately with embolization of PAVF, but this method is not generally available yet.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2004

[Effect of neoadjuvant chemotherapy on complications in patients undergoing surgical treatment for non small cell lung cancer].

Neoadjuvant chemotherapy before resection is being the standard of care for stage IIIA non-small cell lung cancer in many institutions. The risk of complications in patients undergoing thoracotomy after induction chemotherapy remain controversial. We reviewed our experience. From 1998 to 2003, 29 patients underwent pulmonary resection after induction chemotherapy for advanced non-small cell lung cancer. Pneumonectomies were performed for 16 (55.2%) patients (2 right sleeve pneumonectomy and 1 pneumonectomy with wedge excision of tracheal carina), lobectomies for 11 (37.9%) patients (3 right upper sleeve lobectomy), segmentectomies for 1 (3.45%) patient and explorative thoracotomy for 1 (3.45%) patient. There were 3 (10.3%) postoperative deaths, all after right pneumonectomy; 2 caused by pneumonia of the left lung, 1 caused by pulmonary embolism in patient after re-thoracotomy for hemothorax. The postoperative complications included pneumonia in 2 patients, postoperative bleeding in 2, hemothorax in 1, prolonged intubation in 1, vocal cord paralysis in 2, cardiac arrhythmia in 2, atelectasis in 1 and residual air space in 1, resulting in 41,4% morbidity. Most of complications occurred after right pneumonectomy (45.5%). The mortality of patients who had received induction chemotherapy was higher than that of a comparative group of 1529 who underwent lung resection or only exploration without induction chemotherapy during the same period, and the difference was significant (10.3% vs 4.1%; p = 0.01). Morbidity differences were. not significant (p = 0.94).

Adult↗
PubMed1990

[Sonographic diagnosis in blunt thoracic trauma].

Chest sonography after blunt thoracic trauma allows the immediate institution of emergency treatment before X-ray examination. Especially in cases of hemothorax or/and hemopericardium, ultrasound is more specific and sensitive than conventional X-ray. A definite diagnosis of pneumothorax is possible when the typical sonographic findings are present: there is a strong line of reflexes along the chest wall, with complete extinction. Unilateral intensification of air-stipulated repeating echoes may be a sign of mantle pneumothorax. Ruptures of the diaphragm are usually recognizable on radiographic examination only when there is massive intrathoracic splanchnectopia. They are better recognized by ultrasound examination, so that iatrogenic complications caused by thoracocentesis can be avoided. Continued ultrasound check-ups are necessary to reveal any secondary appearance of pleural fluid and to monitor the effect of pleural drains. Ultrasound is also useful for guidance when pleural aspirations are performed. In 64 patients sonography showed hemothorax in 39 cases (radiographic: 13 certain, 9 uncertain), hemopericardium in 1 case, and rupture of the diaphragm in 1 case (radiography: no pathologic findings in either of the last 2). In 2 cases rupture of the diaphragm seemed possible on ultrasound but was excluded by later (ultrasound) controls, and in 2 cases with ultrasound findings suggestive of pneumothorax subsequent X-ray examination confirmed the diagnosis of mantle pneumothorax. At follow-up, 29 pathologic findings according to radiographic examination were recognized on ultrasonography as liquid or organized pleural effusions or pulmonary infiltrates. False-negative or false-positive findings (apart from two supposed diaphragmatic injuries) were not recorded with ultrasound.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Adult↗
PubMed1988

Pulmonary artery disruption from blunt thoracic trauma.

Blunt chest trauma occurs in up to 50 per cent of all fatal motor vehicle accidents and is the primary cause of death in 12-25 per cent; yet only 15 per cent of patients with chest trauma arriving alive to the emergency department require early thoracotomy. Pulmonary artery disruption from blunt trauma is extremely rare. Two patients both women, older and obese with multiple rib fractures and little pulmonary parenchymal damage are reported. Neither had injury to the aorta, heart or intra-abdominal organs. One patient survived after lateral repair of the left main pulmonary artery and the other exsanguinated from a laceration of the right main pulmonary artery. Intrapericardial exposure of the proximal pulmonary arteries may be necessary for control of hemorrhage. Trauma surgeons should be familiar with this technique. Indications for immediate thoracotomy should include: massive hemothorax (greater than 1000 ml), continued bleeding greater than 300 ml in the first hour, bleeding greater than 200 ml/hr for 5 hours, or increasing hemothorax in spite of tube thoracostomy. Close adherence to these guidelines would have allowed both patients to be explored earlier.

Accidents, Traffic↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Operative management of penetrating wounds of the chest. Experience with 41 patients on the island of Curaçao.

Of the 157 cases of chest injuries, 41 patients underwent thoracotomy. Thirty-three were male and 7 female with an average age of 27 years. Eighty-three percent had stabwounds and 17 percent gunshotwounds . On admission and on examination only seven thoracotomy patients were in a stable clinical condition. Hypotension and hemo- or pneumothorax were often present. Persisting hemorrhage from chest tubes drainage, cardiac tamponnade , and massive hemothorax were indications for immediate thoracotomy. Only few of the patients with an hemothorax have an hemorrhage from a major systemic vessel. Associated intraabdominal injuries were often found (17%). For exploration of the abdominal lesions a separate explorative laparotomy is indicated. The only patient who died in our series suffered from septicemia after multiple associated intra-abdominal wounds (mortality rate 2.4%). The overall complication rate was 19.7%. The average period of hospitalisation was 15.4 days.

Adult↗
PubMed1994

[Intrapleural hemorrhage in closed chest trauma].

Four hundred and thirty nine sufferers were treated for closed thoracic trauma. Of them, 39 (8.9%) were operated on. Drainage of the pleural cavity was performed in 78 (17.7%) patients. In 2.1% of cases, clotted hemothorax was diagnosed. In 5 patients, thoracoscopic destruction of the clotted hemothorax was performed according to original technique. All the patients recovered.

Drainage↗