Videothoracoscopy versus intrapleural streptokinase for management of post traumatic retained haemothorax: a retrospective study of 65 cases.
BACKGROUND
Post traumatic retained haemothorax (PRH) may cause pulmonary restrictions or septic pleural complications. Currently, minimally invasive procedures such as videothoracoscopy or intrapleural fibrinolysis have replaced open surgery in an effort to avoid these complications.


OBJECTIVE
We have reviewed retrospectively our use of videothoracoscopy versus intrapleural streptokinase for the management of PRH over the last 10 years.


METHODS
There were 56 males and nine females in the study. Thirty-one cases had been managed by intrapleural streptokinase (group I), and videothoracoscopy was performed on 34 cases (group II). Therapeutic results for both groups were determined by chest radiographs.


RESULTS
In the population from which we drew our study group, retained haemothoraces occurred in 10.9% of 596 cases with traumatic haemothorax. In group I, 22 patients had radiological improvement; the others underwent thoracotomy. In this group, mean hospitalisation time was 14.5(+/-4.2) days, and three cases were complicated by empyema. In group II, all patients except four had complete radiological improvement; two of them required a decortication. In this group, mean hospital stay was 9.8(+/-3.7) days. There were no deaths in either group. The differences between group I and group II for length of hospital stay and number of thoracotomies was statistically significant.


CONCLUSIONS
Videothoracoscopy is therefore a more effective procedure than intrapleural streptokinase for the management of PRH.
Oğuzkaya
Fahri
F
Department of Thoracic Surgery, Erciyes University Medical Faculty, 38039 Kayseri, Turkey. foguzkaya@erciyes.edu.tr
Akçali
Yiğit
Y
Bilgin
Mehmet
M
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D004333:Drug Administration Routes; D005260:Female; D005343:Fibrinolytic Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D006491:Hemothorax / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000628:therapy*; D006801:Humans; D007902:Length of Stay; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010994:Pleura; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013300:Streptokinase / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D013898:Thoracic Injuries / Q000150:complications* / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000628:therapy; D020775:Thoracic Surgery, Video-Assisted / Q000379:methods*; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D005343:Fibrinolytic Agents; D013300:Streptokinase