Citation

Hashimoto K, Ohtsuka T, Goto T, Anraku M, Kohno M, Izumi Y, Nomori H. Ann. Thorac. Cardiovasc. Surg. 2013; 19(2): 148-150.

Affiliation

Division of General Thoracic Surgery, Department of Surgery School of Medicine, Keio University, Tokyo, Japan.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2013, Japanese Editorial Committee of Annals of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

22971710

Abstract

Bronchial ruptures due to blunt trauma are rarely encountered injuries. A previously healthy 42-year-old man fell from heights of 8 meters. A prompt chest tube-drainage for suspected right sided tension pneumothorax and a tracheal intubation were performed. Massive air leak and pneumothorax of the right lung continued. Laceration of the tracheobronchial tree was suspected. Operation was performed 20 hours after patient's arrival. The complete avulsion of the middle lobe bronchus was identified during operation, and a middle lobectomy was performed. The patient was transferred to a rehabilitation hospital on 20th post-operative day without complication. Early decision making for surgery resulted in a good outcome. When a complete atelectasis of the whole right lung and a massive air leakage continues despite appropriate chest-tube drainage in a blunt trauma patient, laceration of the tracheobronchial tree should be suspected.

Language: en