The application of video-assisted thoracosopic surgery in the diagnosis and treatment of emergent traumatic hemopneumothorax

Objective: To evaluate the value of video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery(VATS) in the diagnosis and treatment of emergent traumatic hemopneumothorax.Methods: Thirty-one cases with traumatic hemopneumothorax caused by intercostal vascular rupture and lung tissue laceration were probed,stopped bleeding and repaired by VATS.Results: The operation of 31 patients were successful,and no fatality and complications occured.The time of operation,pleural cavity drainage and hospitalization were 27-101 minutes,1-3 days and 4-10 days,respectively.Conclusions: VATS is a safe,effective and less invasive method to diagnose and treat traumatic hemopneumothorax,but surgical indications should be strictly controlled.