Delayed Hemopneumothorax and Multiple Rib Fractures Following Blunt Chest Trauma

Delayed hemopneumothorax is a surgical emergency, particularly following multiple rib fractures. We report the case of a middle-aged male presenting with chest pain due to a rare, late-onset development of traumatic hemopneumothorax. The patient initially presented following a motor vehicle collision (MVC) and was discharged from the emergency department (ED) with analgesics against medical advice. Vital signs were overall stable; initial imaging demonstrated right-sided apical pneumothorax with no signs of hemothorax and several right-sided rib fractures. Six days later, he returned with respiratory distress and severe chest pain, prompting further radiological investigations. Following the primary survey, the patient was managed definitively with tube thoracostomy placed via the triangle of safety and monitored with serial daily chest radiographs. The chest tube was removed on hospital day six, and the patient was discharged on day seven. He subsequently demonstrated complete resolution when evaluated at a 14-day follow-up appointment. This report illustrates a favorable clinical outcome achieved through timely management and emphasizes the importance of recognizing delayed hemopneumothorax as a potential complication of blunt thoracic trauma.