Thoracic Packing Failure due to Occult Diaphragmatic Injury after Empyema Surgery

Makoto Tatsumi1, Tomonari Oki1, Shuhei Iizuka1

  • 1Department of General Thoracic Surgery, Seirei Hamamatsu General Hospital, Hamamatsu, Shizuoka, Japan.

Summary

Intrathoracic gauze packing can control severe bleeding in the chest, but failure may indicate an unrecognized diaphragmatic injury. Prompt surgical exploration is crucial if bleeding control is inadequate.

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