Manejo conservador del neumotórax oculto en trauma

Introducción: El neumotórax oculto (NTXO) se encuentra hasta en el 15% de los traumatismos torácicos. Existen antecedentes del manejo conservador de esta patología (sólo observación), aunque su práctica continúa siendo discutida, especialmente, en traumatismos penetrantes. El objetivo de este trabajo es describir nuestra experiencia en el manejo conservador del NTXO. Materiales y Método: Estudio de cohorte retrospectivo realizado durante un período de 3 años en un Hospital de Trauma nivel I. Se incluyeron pacientes con traumatismo torácico (cerrado o penetrante) con NTXO. Se dividieron en dos grupos (conservados o drenados), realizándose una comparación de su evolución. Resultados: En 3 años fueron admitidos con traumatismo torácico 679 pacientes. De 93 pacientes con NTXO, 74 (80%) fueron conservados inicialmente y 19 (20%) tratados con drenaje pleural. Dos (3%) presentaron progresión del neumotórax en el seguimiento radiológico (conservación fallida). No se registraron complicaciones relacionadas con la ausencia de drenaje pleural. Las complicaciones y estancia hospitalaria fueron menores en el grupo de manejo conservador. Conclusión: Pacientes con NTXO por traumatismo de tórax (cerrado o penetrante), sin requerimiento de ventilación asistida y hemodinámicamente estables, pueden manejarse de manera conservadora con un monitoreo cercano durante 24 horas en forma segura, con menor tasa de complicaciones y de estancia hospitalaria.

Background: Occult pneumothorax (OPTX) is found in up to 15% of chest injuries. There is a history of conservative management of this pathology (only observation), although its practice continues to be discussed, especially in penetrating trauma. The objective of this paper is to describe our experience in the conservative management of OPTX. Materials and Method: Retrospective cohort study conducted over a 3-year period at a level I Trauma Center. Patients with thoracic trauma (blunt or penetrating) with OPTX were included. They were divided into two groups (preserved or drained) comparing their evolution. Results: Over a 3-year period 679 patients were admitted with chest trauma. From 93 patients with OPTX, 74 (80%) were initially preserved and 19 (20%) drained. Two patients (3%) presented pneumothorax progression in the follow-up imaging. There were no complications related to the absence of pleural drainage. Complications and hospital stay were lower in the conservative management group. Conclusion: Patients with OPTX due to chest trauma (blunt or penetrating), without requiring assisted ventilation and hemodynamically stable, can be safely conservative managed with close monitoring for 24 hours, with a lower rate of complications and hospital stay.

Tube Thoracostomy Surgery among COVID-19 Positive Patients in a Tertiary Care Hospital in Bangladesh

Background: Acute respiratory distress syndrome requiring invasive mechanical ventilation may occur in COVID-19 patients. Barotrauma causes clinically severe pneumothorax, necessitating a chest tube thoracostomy. Acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 is aerosolized during the process, hence specific precautions must be taken to minimize exposure risks to health care workers. Objectives: The objective of the study to diagnosis of Tube thoracostomy during the COVID-19 pandemic to detect and diagnose patients who are positive with the virus.Material & Methods:In Bangladesh, researchers from a tertiary care hospital抯 thoracic surgery section did a retrospective analysis. In total, we had 34 participants. All COVID-19 cases requiring thoracic surgery consultation and management that were admitted to the ICU between July 2020 and January 2022 were included in this study. Iatrogenic pneumothorax and other critical cases not associated with COVID-19 were also eliminated.Results:Thirty-four individuals sought thoracic surgery consultation. Pneumothorax (29.4%), traumatic hemothorax (8.8%), hydropneumothorax (5.9%) and extensive pleural effusion were the causes (55.9%). No post-thoracostomy complications. 6 patients died 3 days after tube thoracostomy who were on artificial breathing and both had more than 81 percent lung involvement (fibrosis) confirmed by CT scan of chest. Surviving patients with thoracostomy tube insertion had better survival than those treated conservatively.Conclusions:In COVID-19 disease, non-iatrogenic pneumothorax, subcutaneous and mediastinal emphysema are associated with worse prognosis and outcomes. Pneumothorax may have a better prognosis and outcome than surgical and mediastinal emphysema.

Clinical study of patients with trauma to the chest in a tertiary care centre

Background: Chest trauma is one of the serious injuries and also one of the leading causes of death from physical trauma. Current study is designed to study clinical profile, pattern of injuries, complications and treatment modality required in chest trauma management.Methods: A prospective observational study was conducted in Shri Vasantrao Naik Government Medical College, a tertiary care hospital in Yavatmal, Maharashtra, India in 246 patients primarily admitted for chest trauma from 1st March 2018 to 31st August 2019.  All cases were managed in emergency department with history noted, clinical examination performed and initial management done as per ATLS guidelines. Definitive management done according to clinical and radiological investigations. Final outcome (death/discharge) was noted with discharged patients were followed until normal activity regained.Results: Male of 3rd-4th decade constituted most vulnerable group, with mean age of 38.56 years and male:female ratio of 5.31:1. Road traffic accident (RTA) was the commonest cause (71.14%), followed by assault (11.79%) and accidental fall (11.38%). Blunt force was the most common mechanism (93.09%).  Rib fracture was present in 26.83%, lung contusion in 8.13% patients, followed by haemothorax (7.32%), hemopneumothorax (5.70%) and pneumothorax (3.25%). Conservative management suffices in most cases (86.59%), tube thoracostomy in 12.19%, thoracotomy in 1.22% cases. Patients with VAS score of 6 and above required intercostal nerve block (5.31%) or epidural analgesia (2.45%) for satisfactory pain relief. Pneumonia and atelectasis were common complications 2.03% each. Mortality rate was 1.22%. Average length of hospital stay was 4.6 days.Conclusions: Chest trauma commonly affects young males with RTA causing significant morbidity and mortality. Majority of patients can be treated conservatively.

Pattern and management of penetrating and nonpenetrating thoracic injuries

Background: Chest trauma constitutes a major public health problem which  includes the injuries to chest wall, pleura, tracheobronchial tree, lungs, diaphragm, oesophagus, heart and great vessels. It consist of more than ten percent of all traumas and twenty five percent of death due to trauma occurs because of chest injury. Chest trauma is increasing in frequency in urban hospitals. Penetrating and nonpenetrating thoracic injuries the most serious injuries leading to significant morbidity and mortality.Methods: This study was prospective observational study of 220 patients of thoracic trauma both penetrating and non-penetrating. These patients admitted in general surgical units from August 2017 to May 2018  of Pandit Bhagwat Dayal  Sharma,  PGIMS  Rohtak Haryana India. The study was pertaining to both penetrating  and non-penetrating chest trauma.Results: Out of 220 chest injury patients who were studied during the said period, Males were 203 and females 17 by a ratio of 12:1 and age ranged from lowest 18 years to 85 years of age. Majority of the patients (90.45%) sustained blunt injuries. RTA was the common mechanism of blunt injury affecting (50.45%) of patients. Multiple Rib fractures was the commonest type of chest injury (21.36%) followed by head injury (17.27%). Head injury was the commonest associated injury seen in our patients. Conclusions: Chest trauma resulting from road traffic accident remains a major mechanism of chest injury. The  measures to decrease the trauma are, educating people about traffic rules and regulations and strictly implementing them is necessary to reduce incidence of chest injuries.

A Comparison Between Conventional and Thoracoport Technique for Tube Thoracostomy in Pneumothorax

Background: Pneumothorax is a medical emergency wherethere is an abnormal collection of air in the pleural space. Afterconfirming the diagnosis chest tube is placed into the pleuralspace which allows the air or fluid to escape from the pleuralspace. Newer methods of tube thoracostomy using Seldingerand thoracoport techniques are replacing the conventionalmethod. The TP technique is said to be safer, faster whencompared to the conventional one.Aim: To compare the time required for the tube thoracostomyand whether tube thoracostomy can be performed by a singlemedical person without assistance. As well as complicationrates using both conventional and thoracoport techniques.Materials and Methods: Out of total 80patients, 40 patientsunderwent tube thoracostomy using thoracoport and remaining40 by conventional method randomly for pneumothorax.Results: Mean procedural time by conventional was highwhen compared to thoracoport technique. Need for assistanceand complications were high in conventional to thoracoportmethod.Conclusions: Tube thoracostomy using thoracoport has astatistical advantage over conventional technique in terms ofprocedural duration, need for assistance and complicationsand this method will definitely revolutionise the emergencymanagement of pneumothorax.

Retrospective Study of Surgical Treatment of Thoracic Empyema in Adults

Background: Pleural space infection is common and causessignificant morbidity and mortality up to 10%. The propermanagement of empyema remains controversial, and patientsare often seen by a physician after their purulent process hasalready reached the fibrinopurulent or chronic stage. Thesepatients are often subjected to multiple procedures and longhospitalization before the empyema is successfully treated.Most cases are treated initially using antibiotics with or withoutrepeated thoracentesis or chest tube insertion. Surgicalapproaches, such as video-assisted thoracic surgery (VATS) oropen thoracotomy and decortications, are usually reserved forpatients with deteriorated clinical condition following failedconservative treatment, which in turn increase the mortalityrate.Aims and Objective: The aim of our retrospective study is toevaluate our experience with thoracic empyema over a 36-month period with special attention to procedures used,success rate of each procedure and outcome.Materials & Methods: A retrospective chart analysis onpatients in whom thoracic empyema was diagnosed fromMarch 2016 to March 2018 at Civil hospital, BJ Medicalcollege, Ahmedabad, India. was performed. The definition ofempyema was selected as any pleural fluid that was grosslypurulent, and/or had a positive Gram stain or culture andempyema were classified by etiology and culture results.Charts were reviewed for patients age, symptoms, underlyingdisease, etiology of empyema, culture results, diagnosticmodalities, duration of hospitalization, therapeutic intervention,date of procedures, complications, mortality and long-termoutcome.Results and Conclusion: Empyema thoracis is a cause ofhigh mortality in man and its occurrence is increasing in bothchildren and adults. Two guidelines documents on themanagement of empyema in adults have been published bythe ACCP and the BTS. Although they differ in their approachto management, they agree on that the pleural space shouldbe drained in all patients with exudative PPE with pleural fluidpH < 7.2 and in those who have frank pus in the pleural space.Patients who do not improve should be referred to the surgeonfor further management. A large randomized multi-centre trialhas shown no survival advantage with the use of intrapleuralstreptokinase in patients with pleural infection and the use ofstreptokinase has not prevented surgery in the group ofpatients studied. However, streptokinase enhances infectedpleural fluid drainage and may still be used in patients whohave large collection of infected pleural collection causingventilatory impairment.

Profile of tuberculous pneumothorax and comparison with pulmonary tuberculosis without pneumothorax

Background: Tuberculosis is the most common cause of secondary spontaneous pneumothorax (SSP) in India. The prevalence of SSP in patients with pulmonary tuberculosis (PTB) is between 1- 3%. There were only few studies in the literature that specifically analyze tuberculous PNTX. In a study from this hospital, author found PTB was the most common cause of SSP. Now, author aimed at studying the clinical profile of tuberculosis associated PNTX cases and compared with pulmonary tuberculosis cases without PNTX.Methods: This was a single centre prospective observational case control study done at a tertiary care hospital. Fifty patients of tuberculous pneumothorax as cases, and 100 patients of pulmonary tuberculosis without pneumothorax were taken as control. The demographic data, clinical presentation, and radiologic presentation, outcomes after treatment were recorded in both the groups. The data was analyzed using statistical software (SPSS) using appropriate statistical tools.Results: The mean age of patients in the PNTX group was 38.18±14.132, where as in the control group it was 45.29±14.89 (p-value of 0.0052). Past history of tuberculosis was present in 27 (54%) cases of PNTX group and in 41 (41%) cases in the control group (p-value of 0.091). The mean duration of length of hospital stay in PNTX group was 16.5±11.865 days and in non-pneumothorax group was 6.2±2.54 days (p-value was 0.0001).Conclusions: Tuberculous pneumothorax was more common between 30-40 yrs age group. Gender and smoking have no association with PNTX. Tuberculous pneumothorax was more common in previously treated cases of TB. Patients with tuberculous PNTX have prolonged hospital stay and complications resulting in increased morbidity, financial burden and mortality.

Repair of diaphragmatic injury and placement of tube thoracostomy during right upper quadrant peritonectomy / 부인종양

OBJECTIVE: Patients with advanced or recurrent ovarian cancer often have metastatic disease in the upper abdominal region, especially to the right hemidiaphragm, which requires diaphragmatic resection in order to achieve optimal cytoreduction. The aim of this surgical video is to demonstrate repair of a diaphragmatic injury and placement of tube thoracostomy during right upper quadrant peritonectomy in a patient with recurrent ovarian cancer. METHODS: This is the case of a 45-year-old woman presented with platinum sensitive recurrent ovarian cancer. Abdomen computed tomography also confirmed peritoneal carcinomatosis and pelvic recurrent mass. HIPEC was administered after complete cytoreduction including bilateral upper quadrant peritonectomy, during which diaphragmatic injury occurred near the central tendon and pleural cavity was entered. We inserted a chest tube through the 6th intercostal space in the anterior axillary line in order to prevent postoperative massive pleural effusion. Diaphragmatic defect was closed primarily after the tube placement. The chest tube was withdrawn on the third postoperative day and the patient was discharged on postoperative day 25 without any complications. RESULTS: The central tendon of diaphragm is the most vulnerable part for lacerations. Diaphragmatic repairs could be performed by various techniques; interrupted or continuous, locking or non-locking sutures, with either permanent or absorbable materials. In our view, all of the techniques provide similar results and surgeons can choose any of them as long as they are comfortable with the procedure. CONCLUSION: In most cases, these lacerations can be repaired primarily without necessitating tube thoracostomy. However, performance of HIPEC can cause massive pleural effusions which can lead to significant pulmonary morbidity. Therefore, retrograde placement of the chest tube under direct vision is quite straightforward when the diaphragm is opened.

Complications of a Tube Thoracostomy Performed by Emergency Medicine Residents

PURPOSE: A tube thoracostomy is an invasive procedure that places patients at risk for complications. Tube thoracostomies are frequently performed by emergency medicine residents. Thus, the purpose of the study was to assess both the complication rate for tube thoracostomies performed by emergency medicine residents and the factors associated with these complications. METHODS: A retrospective chart review of all patients who had undergone a tube thoracostomy performed by emergency medicine residents between January 2008 and February 2009 was conducted at a university hospital. Complications were divided into major and minor complications and into immediate and delayed complications. Complications requiring corrective surgical intervention, requiring the administration of blood products, or involving situations requiring intravenous antibiotics were defined as major. Complications that were detected within 2 hours were defined as immediate. RESULTS: Tube thoracostomies were performed in 189 patients, and 70 patients(37%) experienced some complications. Most complications were immediate and minor. In multiple logistic regressions, BMI, hypotension and resident seniority were significantly associated with complications. CONCLUSION: The prevalence of complications was similar to these in previous reports on the complications of a tube thoracostomy. Most complications from tube thoracostomies performed by emergency medicine residents were immediate and minor complications. Thus, emergency medicine residents should be allowed to perform closed tube thoracostomies instead of thoracic surgeons.

Tension pneumothorax in a newborn after Cesarean-section delivery: A case report / 대한마취과학회지

Tension pneumothorax in newborns is a rare but life-threatening complication. We encountered a case of a full-term neonate with a breech presentation. An elective cesarean section was scheduled. Immediately after delivery, the newborn was found to be breathless with a heart rate <60/min. During intubation and cardiac massage, the patient's femoral artery and vein were accessed. The infantogram revealed a right side tension pneumothorax. A 22 gauge needle thoracentesis relieved the right side chest pressure and a closed thoracostomy was performed. The severe acidosis was corrected with sodium bicarbonate. The patient was managed in the neonatal intensive care unit, but died from uncorrectable acidosis. We report this case with a review of the relevant literature.

Spontaneous Resolution of Pulmonary Artery Pseudoaneurysm after Tube Thoracostomy

Pseudoaneurysm of the pulmonary artery is a rare complication occurring after tube thoracostomy. We report here on a case that displayed spontaneously resolution of a pulmonary artery pseudoaneurysm after tube thoracostomy.