Video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery for acute thoracic trauma

Video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery for acute thoracic trauma

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Background: Operative intervention for thoracic trauma typically requires thoracotomy.We hypothesized that thoracoscopy may be safely and effectively utilized for the acute management of thoracic injuries.Materials and Methods: The Trauma Registry of a Level I trauma center was queried from 1999 through 2010 for all video-assisted thoracic procedures within 24 h Hardware of admission.Data collected included initial vital signs, operative indication, intraoperative course, and postoperative outcome.

Results: Twenty-three patients met inclusion criteria: 3 (13%) following blunt injury and read more 20 (87%) after penetrating trauma.Indications for urgent thoracoscopy included diaphragmatic/esophageal injury, retained hemothorax, ongoing hemorrhage, and open/persistent pneumothorax.No conversions to thoracotomy were required and no patient required re-operation.Mean postoperative chest tube duration was 2.

9 days and mean length of stay was 5.6 days.Conclusion: Video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery is safe and effective for managing thoracic trauma in hemodynamically stable patients within the first 24 h post-injury.