Changing indications for thoracotomy in blunt chest trauma after the advent of videothoracoscopy.
BACKGROUND
The advent of videothoracoscopy may restrict the indications for thoracotomy in blunt chest trauma.


METHODS
We retrospectively compared two groups of patients with blunt chest trauma observed in consecutive periods, before and after the advent of videothoracoscopy, 989 patients from 1989 to 1993 and 908 patients from 1994 to 1998.


RESULTS
During the first period, 38 thoracotomies were performed; but in 8 instances (21%), no major injuries were found. In the second period, 36 videothoracoscopies were performed to repair the lung (n = 5) or diaphragm (n = 5), to evacuate clots (n = 4), pericardial effusion (n = 3), and empyema (n = 2). Six procedures were converted and 11 findings were negative for lesions. Only nine intentional thoracotomies were performed, and significant lesions were found in each case.


CONCLUSIONS
Videothoracoscopy has reduced the number of thoracotomies performed. Thoracotomy can be limited to massive bleeding with hemodynamic instability, major air leak, radiologic evidence of mediastinal enlargement or diaphragmatic rupture, or major anterolateral flail chest.
Mineo
T C
TC
Division of Thoracic Surgery, Tor Vergata University, Rome, Italy.
Ambrogi
V
V
Cristino
B
B
Pompeo
E
E
Pistolese
C
C
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D017677:Age Distribution; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D015601:Injury Severity Score; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D018579:Patient Selection; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D017678:Sex Distribution; D013898:Thoracic Injuries / Q000145:classification / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000601:surgery*; D013906:Thoracoscopy / Q000706:statistics & numerical data* / Q000639:trends*; D013908:Thoracotomy / Q000706:statistics & numerical data* / Q000639:trends*; D014743:Videotape Recording / Q000706:statistics & numerical data* / Q000639:trends*; D014949:Wounds, Nonpenetrating / Q000145:classification / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000601:surgery*