Evaluation of different routes of management for acute traumatic haemothorax

ABSTRACT

Sixty-two patients with acute traumatic hemothorax have been evaluated after receiving different lines of treatment in Alexandria University Hospital. Thoracocentesis and observation were the initial therapy for limited or mild hemothorax in ten patients. Thoracostomy tube drainage succeeded to evacuate and to re-exp and the collapsed lung in another 43 patients due to moderate to severe hemothorax. Early thoracotomy was applied immediately after failure of tube thoracostomy to drain continued massive hemothorax of the remaining nine patients due to lung laceration, intercostal or subclavian vascular injury, pericardial and diaphragmatic tears. Pulmonary functions, blood gases, clinico-radiological studies were succeeded in evaluating different lines of treatment in acute traumatic hemothorax