CHOOSING THERAPEUTIC TACTICS FOR OPEN CHEST WOUNDS: THE VALUE OF THORACOSCOPY

Abstract

Results of 163 thoracoscopic examinations for thoracic trauma are presented. In all cases, the the cause of the injury was stabbing. Among the patients, there were 147 men (90.2 %) and 17 women (9.8 %). Thoracoscopy was performed under local anesthesia or endotracheal anesthesia (predominantly), in a semi-lateral position on the healthy side with a reliable fixation of the patient, which is necessary, since it sometimes there is need to change the position of the table. The first thoracoport was usually introduced into the 5th intercostal space. After the revision of the pleural cavity, according to the indications, places of additional punctures and the introduction of appropriate instruments were determined. For evacuation of blood from the pleural cavity an electric pump was used. For hemostasis, electrocoagulation was commonly applied, and in a number of cases we used the haemostatic sponge. To stop bleeding from the lung tissue, as well as for aerostasis, the Roeder loop was used. After thoracoscopy, the question of further tactics was resolved. With ineffective thoracoscopy, thoracotomy was required. In case of successful thoracoscopy, the operation was finished with draining the pleural cavity through the most adequately located punctures. Thoracoscopy is an effective method of determining further tactics in this pathology. With a trauma in the "danger zone", 41 of 62 patients managed to avoid conversion. In many cases thoracoscopy allows to perform hemostasis, aerostasis and other curative measures. It also can reduce the amount of thoracotomy by 2-2.5 times

Keywords

• thoracoscopy
• thoracic trauma