Abstract

Hemothorax is most commonly seen following trauma or iatrogenic injury, but can be related to underlying medical issues. The primary issue to be determine dis whether or not the patient is stable and/or has ongoing hemorrhage. Simple tube thoracostomy usually suffices to manage the problem, but specific subsets of patients are at increased risk of complications, notably empyema. The role, type and timing of surgical intervention depends upon patient stability, underlying etiology and co-existing medical variables.

Keywords: Empyema, hemothorax, thoracotomy, VATS, iatrogenic injury, etiology, hemorrhage, hypovolemia, CT scan, surgical intervention.