Abstract
Over the past 5 years, 107 patients have been evaluated for acute traumatic hemothorax at the University of Kentucky Medical Center. Immediate tube thoracostomy was performed on 90 patients for evacuation of blood and air. Only 2 patients died. Thoracotomy was performed as part of the initial therapy in 9 patients. Thoracotomy for continued hemorrhage from a pulmonary parenchymal injury was required in 3 patients from the entire group. Thoracentesis or observation was the initial therapy for limited hemothorax in 8 stable patients. Three of these patients subsequently required tube thoracostomy 2 to 23 days following injury due to expanding effusions, and 1 patient required multiple thoracotomies for sepsis, fibrothorax, and empyema. These observations indicate that early evacuation of blood by means of a tube thoracostomy is essential to minimize morbidity in acute traumatic hemothorax. If continuing hemorrhage after tube thoracostomy occurs, there is a higher association of injury to additional vital structures.
Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
