Abstract:

Objective To explore the therapeutic and prognosis effects of delayed thoracic drainage in the treatment of medium volume hemothorax caused by blunt trauma. Methods Forty-two patients with medium volumn of blunt trauma hemothorax were selected as the delayed group. Clinical observation was carried out first, and catheterization was performed 72 hours after diagnosis. Another 43 patients with blunt trauma medium hemothorax were treated with traditional early catheterization within 24 hours after diagnosis, and they were used as the control group. Data of gender, age, body mass index, chest volume on admission, number of rib fractures, hemoglobin (Hb), systolic blood pressure, mean arterial pressure, heart rate and the interval from injury to admission were compared between the two groups. Data of final thoracic drainage volume, oxygen saturation (SpO₂) at discharge, decline level of Hb, number of days with tube, length of hospital stay, total hospitalization cost, presence of thoracic infection and atelectasis, and converted to surgery were also compared between the two groups. Results There were no significant differences in basic conditions between the two groups. Compared with the control group, the final thoracic drainage volume and Hb decreased, the days with tube, the days of hospitalization and the total hospitalization cost decreased, and SpO₂ increased after hospital discharge in the delayed group (P<0.01). No chest infection or atelectasis occurred in the delayed group. There were no cases requiring transfer to surgery in the two groups. Conclusion Delayed thoracic drainage can effectively improve the treatment and prognosis of patients with blunt traumatic medium volumn hemothorax, and reduce the medical economic burden.

Key words: wounds, nonpenetrating, hemothorax, catheters, indwelling, blunt thoracic trauma, catheterization period, thoracic drainage