Thoracic packing for uncontrolled bleeding in penetrating thoracic injuries.
We present a series of three patients who suffered penetrating thoracic injury, and in whom thoracic packing was used as a life-saving procedure. Survival among these patients paralleled the severity and extent of the original injuries. Restriction of cardiac filling and lung expansion are potential deterrents from using this technique; however, its use seems to be a valid adjunct, especially in the setting of chest wall bleeding coming from the intercostal arteries. Damage control surgery in pentrating thoracic trauma, including thoracic packing, is a sound alternative when uncontrollable bleeding, hypothermia and coagulopathy compromises the survival of a patient.
Department of Surgery, Louisiana State University Medical Center, New Orleans, LA 70112, USA. caceres_manuel@hotmail.com
Manuel
M
Caceres
Kennan J
KJ
Buechter
Areti
A
Tillou
Jennifer A
JA
Shih
Donald
D
Liu
Glenn
G
Steeb
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D006470:Hemorrhage / Q000601:surgery*; D006488:Hemostasis, Surgical / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D013898:Thoracic Injuries / Q000601:surgery*; D014948:Wounds, Gunshot / Q000601:surgery; D014950:Wounds, Penetrating / Q000601:surgery*; D014951:Wounds, Stab / Q000601:surgery