A comparative study of urgent video assisted thoracoscopic versus open surgery for the diagnosis and treatment of open hemothorax / 中国微创外科杂志

ABSTRACT

0.05). Results Compared with the Open Group, the VATS Group presented significantly shorter operation time (101.4?25.2 h vs 139.6?42.5 h,t=-4.086,P=0.000), duration of postoperative chest drainage (2.2?0.8 d vs 3.0?0.9 d,t=-3.498,P=0.000), analgesic requirement time (3.0?0.5 d vs 5.5?1.2 d,t=-9.578,P=0.000), and length of hospitalization (8.0?2.4 d vs 11.2?2.3 d,t=-4.993,P=0.000). The intraoperative blood loss (185.2?153.4 ml vs 393.6?296.9 ml,t=-3.300,P=0.002) and the postoperative drainage volume (158.8?75.2 ml vs 248.2?191.7 ml,t=-2.298,P=0.025) was dramatically less in the VATS Group than in the Open Group. All the patients were cured. Follow-up observations for 1~3 months found no hemothorax, empyema, or fibrothorax in both groups. Conclusions VATS can be safely used in hemodynamically stable patients or hypotensive patients who respond to crystalloid fluids. VATS has many advantages, such as minimal invasion, little blood loss, short operating time, and quick recovery.