Thoracoscopic retrieval of foreign body after penetrating chest injury: report of two cases.

Y. H. Liu*, H. P. Liu, P. J. Lin, C. H. Chang

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalJournal Article peer-review

7 Scopus citations

Abstract

Video-assisted thoracic surgery has proved to be valuable in many settings in thoracic surgery. The use of video-assisted thoracic surgery in trauma has recently rapidly increased. It is useful in acute or delayed management of patients with blunt and penetrating chest trauma. It is safe for removal of clotted hemothorax, treatment of thoracic empyema, treatment of persistent pneumothorax, treatment of chylothorax, and for diagnosis of diaphragmatic injury. We report two cases using thoracoscopy to remove intrathoracic metal fragments and avert the need for thoracotomy. In the first patient, a metal fragment injury was sustained via a penetrating wound from the supraclavicular notch to the right upper lung. The metal fragment was retrieved and the lung was repaired thoracoscopically using conventional suturing techniques. A second patient sustained a broken pin injury to the left upper mediastinum via a low neck wound. The pin was successfully removed under videothoracoscopy. Both patients recovered uneventfully and had shortened hospital stays. We feel that thoracoscopy offers a therapeutic as well as diagnostic benefit in stable patients with penetrating chest trauma.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)117-122
Number of pages6
JournalChang Gung Medical Journal
Volume22
Issue number1
StatePublished - 03 1999

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