• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.44 no.6
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• pp.418-422
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• 2011

Background: It has recently become most general to use the small bore catheter to perform closed thoracostomy in treating iatrogenic pneumothorax. This study was performed for analysis of the efficacy of treatment methods by using small bore catheter such as 7 F (French) central venous catheter, 10 F trocar catheter, 12 F pigtail catheter and for analysis of the appropriateness of each procedure. Materials and Methods: From March 2007 to February 2010, Retrospective review of 105 patients with iatrogenic pneumothorax, who underwent closed thoracostomy by using small bore catheter, was performed. We analyzed the total success rate for all procedures as well as the individual success rate for each procedure, and analyzed the cause of failure, additional treatment method for failure, influential factors of treatment outcome, and complications. Results: The most common causes of iatrogenic pneumothorax were presented as percutaneous needle aspiration(PCNA) in 48 cases (45.7%), and central venous catheterization in 26 cases (24.8%). The mean interval to thoracostomy after the procedure was measured as 5.2 hours (1~34 hours). Total success rate of thoracostomy was 78.1%. The success rate was not significantly difference by tube type, with 7 F central venous catheter as 80%, 10 F trocar catheter as 81.6%, and 12 F pigtail catheter as 71%. Twenty one out of 23 patients that had failed with small bore catheter treatment added large bore conventional thoracostomy, and another 2 patients received surgery. The causes for treatment failure were presented as continuous air leakage in 12 cases (52.2%) and tube malfunction in 7 cases (30%). The causes for failure did not present significant differences by tube type. Statistically significant factors affecting treatment performance were not discovered. Conclusion: Closed thoracostomy with small bore catheter proved to be effective for iatrogenic pneumothorax. The success rate was not difference for each type. However, it is important to select the appropriate catheter by considering the patient status, pneumothorax aspect, and medical personnel in the cardiothoracic surgery department of the relevant hospital.

• Journal of Veterinary Clinics
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• v.29 no.5
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• pp.368-371
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• 2012

The present study evaluated the outcome of use of thoracostomy tube tunneling technique under the latissimus dorsi muscle for the evacuation of postoperative pneumothorax induced by thoracotomy in 11 dogs. A stab incision was made through the skin and the latissimus dorsi muscle over the rib in the fifth intercostal space caudal to a surgical window. The thoracostomy tube with a Kelly hemostat was advanced into the thoracic cavity in a cranioventral direction through the sublatissimal tunnel. After tube placement, a # 1 nylon horizontal mattress suture was placed around the skin incision. The thoracostomy tube was removed after creating a negative pressure in the thoracic cavity. Dogs were monitored after surgery for pneumothorax, subcutaneous emphysema, clinical signs including dyspnea, and tube kinking in a muscle tunnel using physical examination and postoperative radiography. There was no tube kinking in the sublatissimal tunnel in 11 dogs on introducing the tubes into the thoracic cavity. The mean (${\pm}SD$) follow-up period was $19{\pm}10$ months. On postoperative radiography, there was no evidence of pneumothorax in 11 dogs. Subcutaneous emphysema was identified around the stab incision in a dog postoperatively. The subcutaneous emphysema disappeared spontaneously within 3 days. On postoperative physical examination, there was no evidence of dyspnea in 11 dogs. Our results suggest that the sublatissimal tunneling technique for thoracostomy tube placement is effective to prevent air leakage around the thoracostomy tube while the tube remains in the thoracic cavity and along the thoracostomy tunnel after tube removal. Tunneling under the latissimus dorsi muscle should be considered the thoracostomy tube placement technique to prevent iatrogenic pneumothorax with first priority.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.23 no.4
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• pp.750-757
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• 1990

Empyema with bronchopleural fistula is an uncommon, but serious problem. Early diagnosis and adequate drainage of the empyema cavity are well established principles for the initial management of this condition and will enable patient to recover from the toxic effects of loculated pus. 37 patients of empyema with bronchopleural fistula were treated at the department of the chonbuk National University Hospital between 1981 and 1988. The age group of fifty and sixty decades occupied 64.8%. Bacteriologic cultures of the pus were postive in 56.8%. The most common organism of the culture was staphylococci(42.9%). And the others were Pseudomonas(19%). Klebsiella(14.3%), and E. doli. No growth of pathologic organism was reported 43.2%. 24 patients of empyema with bronchopleural fistula were nonoperative causes : There were 10 pulmonary tuberculosis, 3 abscess, 9 ascending infection, one bronchiectasis and one tumor, respectively. The remaining 13 were occurred as postoperative complications ; pneumonectomy in 6, lobectomy in 4, decortication in 2, and lobectomy with segmentectomy in 1. When used as the initial mode of drainage, closed thoracostomy was performed to almost all of the patients, but 4 patients were died during this treatment. Main operations were performed except 4 died patients ; open thoracostomy in 21, open thoracostomy with myoplasty in 3, decortication in 5, decortication with resection in 3, and completion pneumonectomy in 1. Open thoracostomy was performed in 21 patients which results were favorable except one death. Permanent open thoracostomy is an old but still useful minor operation in patients with empyema with bronchopleural fistula. The overall mortality rate was 15% (6 patients) and the causes of the death were respiratory insufficiency or sepsis, or both.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.26 no.10
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• pp.769-774
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• 1993

Thoracic empyema is defined as purulent pleural effusion or effusion with positive bacteriology. Recently, the empyema has markedly decreased by developement of antibiotics, but empyemas following thoracotomy were occasionaly reported. During the period of January, 1985 to May,1991, 18 patients with postthoracotomy empyema have been treated in the Department of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery of Chonbuk National University Hospital.There were 17 males and 1 female ranged from 18 years to 67 years of age. The underlying diseases of empyema were tuberculosis [50%], lung cancer [33.3%], esophageal cancer [11.1%],and aspergillosis with tuberculosis[5.6%]. In surgical procedures causing the empyema, there were lobectomy[38.9%], pneumonectomy[22.2%], decortication[16.7%], decortication & lobectomy[11.1%], and esophagectomy [11.1%]. Etiologic organisms in the pleural fluid were Pseudomonas [27.7%], S.aureus [16.7%], mixed infection [16.7%], K.pneumonia [5.6%], M.tuberculosis [5.6%], and no isolation [27.7%]. In 6 cases with BPF, completion pneumonectomy was performed in 1 case, and open thoracostomy in 5 cases. In 12 cases without BPF, closed thoracostomy was performed in 1 case, decortication in 2 cases, decortication & open thoracostomy in 2 cases, and open thoracostomy in 7 cases. In 6 cases with BPF, the fistulas were closed in 4 cases at follow up, the other 2 cases died from pulmonary insufficiency after completion pneumonectomy and open thoracostomy,respectively. In 12 cases without BPF, the empyema cavities were filled with expanded lungs and granulation tissues, except 1 case died from sepsis.

• Journal of Trauma and Injury
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• v.25 no.2
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• pp.37-43
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• 2012

Purpose: A tube thoracostomy is an invasive procedure that places patients at risk for complications. Tube thoracostomies are frequently performed by emergency medicine residents. Thus, the purpose of the study was to assess both the complication rate for tube thoracostomies performed by emergency medicine residents and the factors associated with these complications. Methods: A retrospective chart review of all patients who had undergone a tube thoracostomy performed by emergency medicine residents between January 2008 and February 2009 was conducted at a university hospital. Complications were divided into major and minor complications and into immediate and delayed complications. Complications requiring corrective surgical intervention, requiring the administration of blood products, or involving situations requiring intravenous antibiotics were defined as major. Complications that were detected within 2 hours were defined as immediate. Results: Tube thoracostomies were performed in 189 patients, and 70 patients(37%) experienced some complications. Most complications were immediate and minor. In multiple logistic regressions, BMI, hypotension and resident seniority were significantly associated with complications. Conclusion: The prevalence of complications was similar to these in previous reports on the complications of a tube thoracostomy. Most complications from tube thoracostomies performed by emergency medicine residents were immediate and minor complications. Thus, emergency medicine residents should be allowed to perform closed tube thoracostomies instead of thoracic surgeons.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.52 no.2
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• pp.85-90
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• 2019

Background: Variation exists in the initial treatment for the first episode of primary spontaneous pneumothorax (PSP), and no definitive consensus exists due to a lack of high-quality evidence. This study examined the outcomes of needle aspiration and closed thoracostomy in first episodes of PSP requiring intervention. Methods: This study was a randomized, prospective, single-center trial conducted between December 2015 and August 2016. Patients of all ages with a documented first episode of PSP who were unilaterally affected, hemodynamically stable, and had a pneumothorax measuring over 25% in size were included. Patients with underlying lung disease, severe comorbidities, bilateral pneumothorax, tension pneumothorax, recurrent pneumothorax, traumatic pneumothorax, and pregnancy were excluded. Patients were randomly assigned to the needle aspiration or closed thoracostomy group using a random number table. Results: Forty patients with a first episode of PSP were recruited, and 21 and 19 patients were included in the needle aspiration group and the closed thoracostomy group, respectively. The hospital stay of each group was $2.1{\pm}1.8days$ and $5.4{\pm}3.6days$, respectively (p<0.01). However, no significant differences were found in the success rate of initial treatment or the 1-month and 1-year recurrence rates. Conclusion: Needle aspiration is a favorable initial treatment in patients experiencing a first episode of PSP.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.27 no.4
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• pp.287-291
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• 1994

Spontaneous pneumothorax is an accumulation of air in the pleural space with collapse of the lungs in the absence of external chest trauma. In this clinical study were analyzed of 369 cases of spontaneous pneumothorax experienced at the department of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery, College of Medicine, Chosun University during from January, 1986 to December, 1992.The peak incidence of age was in 3rd decade and more predominantly in male than women [5:1]. Pulmonary tuberculosis was most common etiologic condition and frequently symptoms were dyspnea and chest pain. The site of pneumothorax was Rt.in 48%, Lt.in 45% and both in 7%. The common accompanied diseases were hydrothorax, pyothorax and hemothorax. In 166 cases [45%] were treated by closed thoracostomy only, in 43 cases [12%] were treated by closed thoracostomy & chemical pleurodesis with Tetracycline and in 145 cases [39%] were treated by open thoracotomy. The most serious complication, one case of pulmonary edema, was developed after closed thoracostomy and fatal.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.54 no.5
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• pp.404-407
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• 2021

We present a case study of necrotizing fasciitis (NF), a very rare but dangerous complication of chest tube management. A 69-year-old man with shortness of breath underwent thoracostomy for chest tube placement and drainage with antibiotic treatment, followed by a computed tomography scan. He was diagnosed with thoracic empyema. Initially, a non-cardiovascular and thoracic surgeon managed the drainage, but the management was inappropriate. The patient developed NF at the tube site on the chest wall, requiring emergency fasciotomy and extensive surgical debridement. He was discharged without any complications after successful control of NF. A thoracic surgeon can perform both tube thoracostomy and tube management directly to avoid complications, as delayed drainage might result in severe complications.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.10 no.2
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• pp.205-213
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• 1977

In order to evaluate the therapeutic effect of thoracostomy on the patients with pathological changes in pleural cavity which were caused by various etiological factors, a clinical study was carried out during a period of 5 and half years from May 1972 to September 1977 in the department of thoracic surgery, Hanyang University Hospital, and the following results were obtained. Of a total of 264 patients, 205 cases were male, and 59 female, exhibiting the ratio of male to female being 3.5 to 1. The pathological changes in pleural cavity could occur at any age from 4 months after birth to 76 years old, the peak incidence being in the third decade in either male or female. The incidence decreased in the second, fifth and fourth decade in order. The type of pathological changes observed and their frequencies of occurrences were 93 cases [35.2%] in pneumothorax, 62 cases [23.5%] in hemothorax, 48 cases [18.2%] in pyothorax, 46 cases [17. 4%] in hemopneumothorax, 13 cases [4.9%] in hydropneumothorax, and one case each in hydrothorax and chylothorax. The incidence of the primary diseases which predisposed the pathological changes in pleural cavity were, 119 cases [45-1%] in trauma, 64 cases [24.2%]in lung tuberculosis, 38 cases [14.4%] in pneumonia or empyema, 14 cases [5.3%] in lung emphysema and blebs, 13 cases [4.9%] in process after thoracotomy, 3 cases [1.1%] each in lung malignant tumor and lung paragonimiasis, one case in mechanical ventilator and 9 cases [3.4%] in unknown origin. The pathological changes in pleural cavity were located in the right side of the cavity in 124 cases, in the left side in 133 cases and in both sides in 7 cases, indicating that the difference between the incidence of the left and rightside occurences was insignificant. Of 93 cases of pneumothorax studied, 63 cases were found to have been tension pneumothorax and 30 cases non-tension pneumothorax, showing greater prevalence of tension type over non-tension type. Of 119 cases of trauma observed, 82 cases were accompanied with rib fractures and 37 cases were without any fracture [non-bone fracture]. Patients with the rib fractures were characterized by multiple rib fractures and multiple double fractures of ribs, accompanying with or without fracture of bones other than ribs, and patients with non-bone fracture were characterized by penetrating stab wound and blunt trauma. Of 264 cases who received thoracostomy, 207 cases [78.4%] demonstrated that their pathological changes in pleural cavity were removed and subsided by a simple measure of thoracostomy. In 43 cases [16.3%], various surgical measures including radical operation and thoracotomy were required for complete healing, since their pathological changes were not abolished by thoracostomy alone. The rest 14 cases [5.3%] were expired following thoracostomy.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.20 no.1
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• pp.39-47
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• 1987

The records of 268 patients, who were diagnosed as spontaneous pneumothorax during the period 1975 to 1984, treated at the department of thoracic and cardiovascular surgery, Hanyang University Hospital, were reviewed retrospectively to evaluate the effect of surgical intervention on each indications. Of these,.61 patients [22.8%] were taken operation to treat the pneumothorax after closed thoracostomy. We have classified the 61 patients to evaluate the therapeutic effect on each indications. And the therapeutic effect is based on the chest tube indwelling days. The results were as follows: 1. The chest tube indwelling days of the group who were taken closed thoracostomy only was average 14.13*9.17 days [range 5-66 days], and that of the group who were finally taken the thoracotomy after closed thoracostomy was 21.85*12.30 days [range 5-55 days]. 2. The indications of thoractomy were thoracoscopic findings, recurrence and continuous air leakage. 3. The chest tube indwelling day of the group who was taken thoracotomy by thoracoscopic findings was average 11.67*6.51 day, that was relatively short compared to those of the other groups. 4. The continuous air leakage group after closed thoracostomy was subdivided into three subgroups, continuous air leakage in 1st attack, thoracoscopic findings in 1st attack, and recurrence. 5. Of these, the chest tube indwelling day of the subgroup, who was taken operation by thoracoscopic findings, was 21.33e8.26, that was relatively short compared with those of the other subgroups. We use the thoracoscope as excellent diagnostic tool to detect the operation indication in the spontaneous pneumothorax patients. And we gain the benefits to shorten the chest tube indwelling days and admission days, and also to protect the recurrence.