title: Thoracoscopical water jet lavage in coagulated hemothorax.
abstract: We propose the use of a pulsatile high-speed irrigation device during video-assisted thoracoscopy for retained, in part coagulated hemothorax. Blood clots and membranes adhering to intrathoracic structures are easily removed by the water jet without damaging underlying structures. The efficient dilution of the sticky retained blood and the fragmented coagula enable their quick removal over a suction catheter.
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, Division of Thoracic and Hyperbaric Surgery, University Medical School, Auenbruggerplatz 29 A-8036 Graz, Austria. florian.tomaselli@uni-graz.ac.at
authors.forename: Florian
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Tomaselli
authors.forename: Alfred
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Maier
authors.forename: Heiko
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Renner
authors.forename: Freyja Maria
authors.initials: FM
authors.lastname: Smolle-Jüttner
mesh_terms: D001777:Blood Coagulation; D006491:Hemothorax / Q000209:etiology / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D007507:Therapeutic Irrigation / Q000379:methods; D013898:Thoracic Injuries / Q000601:surgery*; D020775:Thoracic Surgery, Video-Assisted / Q000379:methods*