Clinical Experience of Spontaneous Hemopneumothorax.
- Author:
Hyeon Jong MOON
1
;
Seong Wook HWANG
Author Information
1. Department of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery, SMG-SNU Boramae Medical Center, Korea. moon730@brm.co.kr
- Publication Type:Original Article
- Keywords:
Hemothorax;
Pneumothorax;
Video-assisted thoracic surgery
- MeSH:
Blister;
Chest Tubes;
Female;
Follow-Up Studies;
Hemopneumothorax;
Hemothorax;
Humans;
Male;
Pleural Cavity;
Pneumothorax;
Rare Diseases;
Retrospective Studies;
Shock;
Thoracic Surgery, Video-Assisted;
Thoracostomy
- From:The Korean Journal of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery
2010;43(6):669-674
- CountryRepublic of Korea
- Language:Korean
-
Abstract:
BACKGROUND: Spontaneous hemopneumothorax is characterized by the accumulation of air and more than 400 mL of blood in pleural cavity without any apparent cause. It is a rare disease and can cause life-threatening situation. We analyzed clinical reviews of two medical centers to aid in optimal management. MATERIAL AND METHOD: Retrospective review between March 2003 and August 2010 with 18 spontaneous hemopneumothorax patients was made. RESULT: These 18 patients were comprised of 15 male and 3 female with average 24.6 years (range 15~46 years). Almost patients (16) underwent a closed thoracostomy initially and 15 patients received video-assisted thoracic surgery (VATS). Mean postoperative chest tube removal was 2.9 days and one complication was post-removal pneumothorax. During the follow-up periods there were no other complications and recurrence. CONCLUSION: Proper initial diagnosis and management of spontaneous hemopneumothorax prevent significant hypovolemic shock. Video-assisted thoracic surgery should be considered an early surgical management in spontaneous hemopneumothorax. However conservative manage without bleb excision may be effective in selected patients.
