title: Video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery for postoperative hemothorax.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The aim of this study was to evaluate the role of video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS) in the treatment of postoperative bleeding after thoracic surgery.
  
  
  METHODS
  We retrospectively analyzed data from our institution on the use of a video-assisted approach in patients requiring reexploration for hemorrhage occurring after open or VATS procedures.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Seventeen surgical reexplorations were performed in 16 patients: 7 after VATS and 9 after prior open procedures. The interval between the end of the first procedure and reexploration was 6-36 hours after VATS and 15-120 hours after thoracotomy. The source of bleeding was identified in 82.4 % of cases. No deaths occurred. The postoperative course was uneventful for all patients except one, who underwent extrapleural pneumonectomy and required a second VATS reexploration for uncontrolled bleeding 10 hours after the first reoperation.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The videothoracoscopic approach for postoperative hemothorax requiring surgical reexploration seems to be safe and effective and guarantees the benefits of minimally invasive surgery: it allows the surgeon to evacuate the hemothorax, to accurately explore the operating field, and to achieve adequate hemostasis.
authors.affiliation: Thoracic Surgery Unit-ASL Ravenna, Villa Maria Cecilia Hospital, Ravenna, Italy. agoetzenich@ukaachen.de
authors.forename: Luciano
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Solaini
authors.forename: Francesco
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Prusciano
authors.forename: Leonardo
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Solaini
authors.forename: Massimiliano
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Carletti
mesh_terms: D006491:Hemothorax / Q000209:etiology* / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D011013:Pneumonectomy / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000379:methods; D012086:Reoperation; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D020775:Thoracic Surgery, Video-Assisted / Q000379:methods; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome