View clinical trials related to Hemothorax.
Filter by:This is prospective, randomized study comparing VATS (video- Assisted Thoracoscopy) to reinsertion of a thoracostomy tube in patients with persistent traumatic haemothorax. The incidence varies and can be as high as 20%, but in most studies is found to be 1-4% after initial tube thoracostomy for chest trauma. The most accepted complication of retained hemothorax is empyema.Retained hemothorax treatment started by physiotherapy and early withdrawal of tube thoracostomy which lead to more complications as empyema, fibro thorax/entrapped lung, flail chest and diaphragmatic hernia. Early VATS is an alternative treatment for retained hemothorax with evidence that it is a superior intervention when compared to a second tube thoracostomy.
Chest injuries are common in patients with polytrauma and are responsible for approximate 25% of all trauma-related mortalities. Traumatic injuries to the thorax often result in the accumulation of blood within the chest (i.e. a hemothorax (HTX)). The management of HTX remains a clinical dilemma when the volume of blood is small to moderate and the patient is hemodynamically stable. The East American Association of Trauma guidelines suggest that all HTXs should be considered for chest tube drainage. However, a prospective observational study suggested small to moderate HTXs could be absorbed without intervention. Although HTXs are effectively managed with chest tube drainage of the blood (i.e. tube thoracostomy), this intervention is associated with numerous potential major complications, including injury and infection in up to 22% of patients. The purpose of this study is therefore to conduct a randomized controlled study to compare patients with traumatic HTX managed by chest tube drain or expectant management (close monitoring), to determine when a chest tube is needed and when it is not to treat hemothoraces. The results from this study will inform the care of future trauma patients who present with this common injury throughout the globe.