Three cases of emergency video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery for spontaneous hemopneumothorax
Hamaguchi, N.; Tamaki, M.; Ichikawa, Y.; Toba, H.; Oonishi, K.; Fujishima, N.; Kaihotsu, N.
Kyobu Geka. Japanese Journal of Thoracic Surgery 54(12): 995-998
2001
ISSN/ISBN: 0021-5252 PMID: 11712383 Document Number: 533134
We experienced 3 cases of video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery for spontaneous hemopneumothorax. All the patients had received emergent operations because of massive intrathoracic bleeding. At the operation, a 3 cm-minithoracotomy and 2 trocar ports were fashioned. In the head up position, massive blood clots in the apex in the thoracic cavity was removed by using grasping forceps and the source of bleeding point was detected easily. The bleeding was successfully stopped. It was difficult to remove massive blood clots from trocar port by suction, however it was easy to remove massive blood clots from a 3 cm-minithoracotomy window by using a large grasping forceps. Post operative course was satisfactory and the all patients discharged within 2 weeks after admission. We concluded that the spontaneous hemopneumothorax may be a good indication for video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery.