Biomaterial Database

[Pneumothorax and haemothorax (author's transl)]. 1979

K Fuchs, and W Peitsch

Pneumothorax and haemothorax constitute serious complications of a blunt chest trauma. During 1970-1978 64 persons with pneumothorax and 109 cases of haemothorax were admitted to and treated in the Surgical Unit of the University Hospital, Göttingen. In nearly every case fracture of several ribs had also occurred. The method of choice for treating cases of pneumothorax was by Bülau drainage; surgical closure of the air leakage was rarely necessary. Conservative measures are indicated only if the pneumothorax is narrow or confined to the apical region. It is worth mentioning that in a large number of cases pneumothorax developed during positive pressure ventilation after a chest injury. Complications of Bülau drainage were: damage to the lungs, skin emphysema and bleeding from the intercostal artery. Open application of the Bülau drainage in the 2nd intercostal space is therefore recommended. Treatment of traumatic pleural effusions by Bülau drainage was required in only 14 of 109 cases. Therapy-resistent effusions necessitated thoracotomy and evacuation of the haematoma in 4 persons. If Bülau drainage fails completely to evacuate the haemothorax, it should be promptly followed by thoracotomy to prevent the development of adhesions and the resulting impairment of respiratory function.

UI	MeSH Term	Description	Entries
D010996	Pleural Effusion	Presence of fluid in the pleural cavity resulting from excessive transudation or exudation from the pleural surfaces. It is a sign of disease and not a diagnosis in itself.	Effusion, Pleural,Effusions, Pleural,Pleural Effusions
D011030	Pneumothorax	An accumulation of air or gas in the PLEURAL CAVITY, which may occur spontaneously or as a result of trauma or a pathological process. The gas may also be introduced deliberately during PNEUMOTHORAX, ARTIFICIAL.	Pneumothorax, Primary Spontaneous,Pressure Pneumothorax,Primary Spontaneous Pneumothorax,Spontaneous Pneumothorax,Tension Pneumothorax,Pneumothorax, Pressure,Pneumothorax, Spontaneous,Pneumothorax, Tension,Spontaneous Pneumothorax, Primary
D011175	Positive-Pressure Respiration	A method of mechanical ventilation in which pressure is maintained to increase the volume of gas remaining in the lungs at the end of expiration, thus reducing the shunting of blood through the lungs and improving gas exchange.	Positive End-Expiratory Pressure,Positive-Pressure Ventilation,End-Expiratory Pressure, Positive,End-Expiratory Pressures, Positive,Positive End Expiratory Pressure,Positive End-Expiratory Pressures,Positive Pressure Respiration,Positive Pressure Ventilation,Positive-Pressure Respirations,Positive-Pressure Ventilations,Pressure, Positive End-Expiratory,Pressures, Positive End-Expiratory,Respiration, Positive-Pressure,Respirations, Positive-Pressure,Ventilation, Positive-Pressure,Ventilations, Positive-Pressure
D004322	Drainage	The removal of fluids or discharges from the body, such as from a wound, sore, or cavity.
D006491	Hemothorax	Hemorrhage within the pleural cavity.
D006801	Humans	Members of the species Homo sapiens.	Homo sapiens,Man (Taxonomy),Human,Man, Modern,Modern Man
D000267	Tissue Adhesions	Pathological processes consisting of the union of the opposing surfaces of a wound.	Adhesions, Tissue,Surgery-Induced Tissue Adhesions,Surgical Adhesions,Adhesion, Surgery-Induced Tissue,Adhesion, Surgical,Adhesion, Tissue,Adhesions, Surgery-Induced Tissue,Adhesions, Surgical,Surgery Induced Tissue Adhesions,Surgery-Induced Tissue Adhesion,Surgical Adhesion,Tissue Adhesion,Tissue Adhesion, Surgery-Induced,Tissue Adhesions, Surgery-Induced
D013898	Thoracic Injuries	General or unspecified injuries to the chest area.	Chest Injuries,Injuries, Chest,Injuries, Thoracic,Chest Injury,Injury, Chest,Injury, Thoracic,Thoracic Injury
D014949	Wounds, Nonpenetrating	Injuries caused by impact with a blunt object where there is no penetration of the skin.	Blunt Injuries,Injuries, Nonpenetrating,Injuries, Blunt,Nonpenetrating Injuries,Blunt Injury,Injury, Blunt,Injury, Nonpenetrating,Nonpenetrating Injury,Nonpenetrating Wound,Nonpenetrating Wounds,Wound, Nonpenetrating