National risk factors for blunt cardiac injury: Hemopneumothorax is the strongest predictor.

BACKGROUND: Blunt cardiac injury (BCI) can occur after chest trauma and may be associated with sternal fracture (SF). We hypothesized that injuries demonstrating a higher transmission of force to the thorax, such as thoracic aortic injury (TAI), would have a higher association with BCI. METHODS: We queried the National Trauma Data Bank (NTDB) from 2007-2015 to identify adult blunt trauma patients. RESULTS: BCI occurred in 15,976 patients (0.3%). SF had a higher association with BCI (OR = 5.52, CI = 5.32-5.73, p < 0.001) compared to TAI (OR = 4.82, CI = 4.50-5.17, p < 0.001). However, the strongest independent predictor was hemopneumothorax (OR = 9.53, CI = 7.80-11.65, p < 0.001) followed by SF and esophageal injury (OR = 5.47, CI = 4.05-7.40, p < 0.001). CONCLUSION: SF after blunt trauma is more strongly associated with BCI compared to TAI. However, hemopneumothorax is the strongest predictor of BCI. We propose all patients presenting after blunt chest trauma with high-risk features including hemopneumothorax, sternal fracture, esophagus injury, and TAI be screened for BCI. SUMMARY: Using the National Trauma Data Bank, sternal fracture is more strongly associated with blunt cardiac injury than blunt thoracic aortic injury. However, hemopneumothorax was the strongest predictor.

Spontaneous hemopneumothorax: our experience with surgical management.

BACKGROUND: Spontaneous hemopneumothorax is rare, accounting for only 1%-12% of patients presenting with spontaneous pneumothorax. The optimal management of these patients remains controversial with no definitive guidelines on patient selection and timing of surgery. The aim of this study was to review our institution's surgical experience in the management of patients with spontaneous hemopneumothorax. METHODS: We performed a retrospective review of all patients with spontaneous hemopneumothorax who underwent surgery from January 2000 to June 2013. Patient data were obtained from our institution's primary spontaneous pneumothorax database. RESULTS: Of 510 patients who underwent surgery for spontaneous pneumothorax, 33 (6.4%) developed spontaneous hemopneumothorax. The mean age was 24.0 years (range 16-40 years). In 30 (90.9%) patients, it was their first presentation of pneumothorax. There were 25 (75.8%) patients with Vanderschueren stage III spontaneous pneumothorax. Blood loss ranged from 250 to 3000 mL (mean 1280 mL). In 28 patients, a torn adhesion band was the source of bleeding. Thoracotomy was the surgical approach in 9 (27.3%) patients, and video-assisted thoracic surgery was used in 24 (72.7%). One patient required reoperation for retained clots. There was no mortality. CONCLUSION: Our results suggest that surgical management of spontaneous hemopneumothorax can be undertaken with minimal morbidity and mortality. With the increasing use of video-assisted thoracic surgery, definitive surgical management of spontaneous hemopneumothorax can be instituted earlier.

The rising burden of serious thoracic trauma sustained by motorcyclists in road traffic crashes.

In many countries increased on-road motorcycling participation has contributed to increased motorcyclist morbidity and mortality over recent decades. Improved helmet technologies and increased helmet wearing rates have contributed to reductions in serious head injuries, to the point where in many regions thoracic injury is now the most frequently occurring serious injury. However, few advances have been made in reducing the severity of motorcyclist thoracic injury. The aim of the present study is to provide needed information regarding serious motorcyclist thoracic trauma, to assist motorcycling groups, road safety advocates and road authorities develop and prioritise counter-measures and ultimately reduce the rising trauma burden. For this purpose, a data collection of linked police-reported and hospital data was established, and considerable attention was given to establishing a weighting procedure to estimate hospital cases not reported to police and fatal cases not admitted to hospital. The resulting data collection of an estimated 19,979 hospitalised motorcyclists is used to provide detailed information on the nature, incidence and risk factors for thoracic trauma. Over the last decade the incidence of motorcyclist serious thoracic injury has more than doubled in the population considered, and by 2011 while motorcycles comprised 3.2% of the registered vehicle fleet, one quarter of road traffic-related serious thoracic trauma cases treated in hospitals were motorcyclists. Motor-vehicle collisions, fixed object collisions and non-collision crashes were fairly evenly represented amongst these cases, while older motorcyclists were over-represented. Several prevention strategies are identified and discussed.

Spontaneous hemopneumothorax: epidemiological details and clinical features.

PURPOSES: Spontaneous hemopneumothorax (SHP) may cause life-threatening blood loss. The objective of this study was to elucidate the epidemiological and clinical features of SHP. METHODS: We reviewed the records of 26 patients who underwent surgery for SHP between 1989 and 2010. We evaluated their epidemiology and clinical features by comparing them with those of 681 patients with spontaneous pneumothorax treated during the same period. RESULTS: The proportion of smokers in the SHP group was higher than that in the spontaneous pneumothorax group (P < 0.01). Seventeen cases (65.4 %) of SHP occurred on the left side. The most frequent bleeding area was the superior thoracic aperture (STA:17 cases, 65.4 %), followed by the left superior mediastinum (six cases, 23.1 %). Ten cases had intrathoracic clots greater than 500 mL, which could not be drained preoperatively. The postoperative stay of patients treated with video-assisted thoracic surgery (VATS) was shorter than that of patients treated with open thoracotomy (21 versus five cases; P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: A higher proportion of smokers was revealed in the SHP patients. VATS shortened the hospital stay of the patients. The particular areas that should be observed intraoperatively are the STA and the left superior mediastinum.

[Management of the thoracic drainage in the thoracic traumas. Technical mistakes and new procedures]. / La gestione del drenaggio toracico nei traumi del torace. Errori tecnici e nuove procedure.

OBJECTIVE: Thoracic trauma is positioned at the third place of occurrence in Multiple Trauma patient. The correct position of thoracic drainages are fundamental for a good resolution and restore of pulmonary function in our mechanical ventilated patients. METHODS: This retrospective analysis of a prospective database on a consecutive series of patients who had haemo-pneumothorax drained immediately or into 3 hours from trauma was conducted over a period of 24 months. RESULTS: Of 600 of thoracic procedures we have considered 67 chest drainages positioned from 2002 to 2004 in patients with thoracic trauma. Technical aspects of the thoracic drainage were analyzed. Outcome,pulmonary function and clinical complications were recorded. CONCLUSIONS: The Management of drains and thoracic tubes after many surgical procedures is highly variable. This procedure is easy, feasible, secure and we have recorded a reduction of costs and related complications.

Spontaneous hemopneumothorax in women.

Spontaneous hemopneumothorax is uncommon, especially among women. We report a case of spontaneous hemopneumothorax in a 19-year-old woman and review seven other cases of spontaneous hemopneumothorax in women that have been reported in the English language.

Hemoneumotórax traumático en el área sur oriente de Santiago / Traumatic hemopneumothorax in the south-western area of Santiago

El hemoneumotórax traumático es una patología frecuente en esta área. El manejo inicial y enfrentamiento de las complicaciones no es uniforme. El objetivo de este trabajo fue evaluar la epidemiología, evolución, complicaciones e indicación de videotoracoscopia de los pacientes tratados en este Servicio. El hemoneumotórax traumático en esta área se caracteriza por un predominio del traumatismo penetrante por arma blanca en población masculina joven, con una importante asociación al abuso del alcohol. El manejo con pleurotomía única resulta efectivo en la mayoría de los casos y la videotoracoscopia oportuna aparece como un procedimiento central en el manejo de las complicaciones