Cheong Kiat Julian Tay1, Yong Chen Yee1, Atasha Asmat2. 1. Department of Cardiac, Thoracic & Vascular Surgery, National University Hospital, Singapore. 2. Department of Cardiac, Thoracic & Vascular Surgery, National University Hospital, Singapore atasha_asmat@ttsh.com.sg.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Spontaneous hemopneumothorax is rare, accounting for only 1%-12% of patients presenting with spontaneous pneumothorax. The optimal management of these patients remains controversial with no definitive guidelines on patient selection and timing of surgery. The aim of this study was to review our institution's surgical experience in the management of patients with spontaneous hemopneumothorax. METHODS: We performed a retrospective review of all patients with spontaneous hemopneumothorax who underwent surgery from January 2000 to June 2013. Patient data were obtained from our institution's primary spontaneous pneumothorax database. RESULTS: Of 510 patients who underwent surgery for spontaneous pneumothorax, 33 (6.4%) developed spontaneous hemopneumothorax. The mean age was 24.0 years (range 16-40 years). In 30 (90.9%) patients, it was their first presentation of pneumothorax. There were 25 (75.8%) patients with Vanderschueren stage III spontaneous pneumothorax. Blood loss ranged from 250 to 3000 mL (mean 1280 mL). In 28 patients, a torn adhesion band was the source of bleeding. Thoracotomy was the surgical approach in 9 (27.3%) patients, and video-assisted thoracic surgery was used in 24 (72.7%). One patient required reoperation for retained clots. There was no mortality. CONCLUSION: Our results suggest that surgical management of spontaneous hemopneumothorax can be undertaken with minimal morbidity and mortality. With the increasing use of video-assisted thoracic surgery, definitive surgical management of spontaneous hemopneumothorax can be instituted earlier.
BACKGROUND: Spontaneous hemopneumothorax is rare, accounting for only 1%-12% of patients presenting with spontaneous pneumothorax. The optimal management of these patients remains controversial with no definitive guidelines on patient selection and timing of surgery. The aim of this study was to review our institution's surgical experience in the management of patients with spontaneous hemopneumothorax. METHODS: We performed a retrospective review of all patients with spontaneous hemopneumothorax who underwent surgery from January 2000 to June 2013. Patient data were obtained from our institution's primary spontaneous pneumothorax database. RESULTS: Of 510 patients who underwent surgery for spontaneous pneumothorax, 33 (6.4%) developed spontaneous hemopneumothorax. The mean age was 24.0 years (range 16-40 years). In 30 (90.9%) patients, it was their first presentation of pneumothorax. There were 25 (75.8%) patients with Vanderschueren stage III spontaneous pneumothorax. Blood loss ranged from 250 to 3000 mL (mean 1280 mL). In 28 patients, a torn adhesion band was the source of bleeding. Thoracotomy was the surgical approach in 9 (27.3%) patients, and video-assisted thoracic surgery was used in 24 (72.7%). One patient required reoperation for retained clots. There was no mortality. CONCLUSION: Our results suggest that surgical management of spontaneous hemopneumothorax can be undertaken with minimal morbidity and mortality. With the increasing use of video-assisted thoracic surgery, definitive surgical management of spontaneous hemopneumothorax can be instituted earlier.
Authors: Antonio Higor Marques Aragão; Letícia Aguiar Fonseca; Flávio Clemente Deulefeu; Israel Lopes Medeiros; Rafael Fernandes Viana de Araújo; Carlos Alberto da Cruz Neto; Antero Gomes Neto Journal: Case Rep Pulmonol Date: 2020-01-23