Management of Traumatic Hemothorax, Retained Hemothorax, and Other Thoracic Collections

Rib fracture characteristics increasing the risk of hemothorax: a multicenter study

The precise assessment of hemothorax risk resulting from a rib fracture is not feasible. CT images, patient characteristics, and clinical experience are utilized in daily practice to assess risk intuitively. This study aimed to identify specific markers on CT images that can predict the risk of hemothorax. The study was retrospectively conducted between May 2021 and December 2023 at three different centers. Patients diagnosed with hemothorax at the initial assessment or during follow-up were identified among those being followed for rib fractures. An investigation was carried out to examine the relationship between the number of rib fractures, displacement status, and the location of the fracture on the rib arch with the risk of hemothorax. Of the 273 patients included in the study, 201 (73.6%) were male. The mean age was 53.9 ± 17.27 (19-93) years. Lateral (p = 0.029) and posterior (p < 0.001) location of the fracture and displacement of at least one fracture (p = 0.003) were associated with an increased risk. There was a significant correlation between the number of rib fractures and the risk of hemothorax (p < 0.001). The optimal cut-off for the number of rib fractures associated with a high risk of hemothorax was determined to be 4. Anatomical characteristics of a rib fracture can be useful to assess the risk of hemothorax practically in patients with thoracic trauma especially in emergency rooms. Patients with four or more rib fractures, at least one displaced rib fracture, and lateral and posterior rib fractures should be followed more carefully for hemothorax.

Managing tube thoracostomy with thoracic ultrasound: results from a randomized pilot study

PURPOSE

Tube thoracostomy (TT) is a simple and a life-saving procedure; nevertheless, it carries morbidity, even after its removal. Currently, TT is managed and removed by chest X-ray (CXR) evaluation. There are limitations and these are directly linked to complications. The use of thoracic ultrasound (US) has already been established in the diagnosis of pneumothorax (PTX) and hemothorax (HTX); its use, in substitution of CXR can lead to improvement in care. Our aim is to evaluate the efficiency and safety of US in the management of TT.

METHODS

Prospective and randomized study with patients requiring TT. They were divided in groups according to their thoracic injuries (PTX and HTX) and randomized into two groups according to TT management: US and CXR. Data collected included gender, age, mechanism of injury, days to TT removal, complications after TT removal and presence of mechanical ventilation.

RESULTS

Sixty-one patients were randomized, of which 68.8% were male. The most frequent diagnosis was PTX, present in 37 cases. Median time for TT removal was 2.5 days in the US group and 4.9 in the control group (p = 0.009). The complication rate was 6.6%, with no morbidity in the US group. TT removal in patients with mechanical ventilation did not increase the incidence of complications.

CONCLUSIONS

The use of US in the management is efficient and safe. It allows early TT removal regardless the cause of the thoracic injury.

Blunt trauma related chest wall and pulmonary injuries: An overview

Physical traumas are tragic and multifaceted injuries that suddenly threaten life. Although it is the third most common cause of death in all age groups, one out of four trauma patients die due to thoracic injury or its complications. Blunt injuries constitute the majority of chest trauma. This indicates the importance of chest trauma among all traumas. Blunt chest trauma is usually caused by motor vehicle accident, falling from height, blunt instrument injury and physical assault. As a result of chest trauma, many injuries may occur, such as pulmonary injuries, and these require urgent intervention. Chest wall and pulmonary injuries range from rib fractures to flail chest, pneumothorax to hemothorax and pulmonary contusion to tracheobronchial injuries. Following these injuries, patients may present with a simple dyspnea or even respiratory arrest. For such patient, it is important to understand the treatment logic and to take a multidisciplinary approach to treat the pulmonary and chest wall injuries. This is because only 10% of thoracic trauma patients require surgical operation and the remaining 90% can be treated with simple methods such as appropriate airway, oxygen support, maneuvers, volume support and tube thoracostomy. Adequate pain control in chest trauma is sometimes the most basic and best treatment. With definite diagnosis, the morbidity and mortality can be significantly reduced by simple treatment methods.