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Post-traumatic empyema thoracis in blunt chest trauma
1Department of Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand.
Summary
Post-traumatic empyema thoracis occurred in 3 of 42 patients with blunt chest injury. Elderly patients and prolonged chest tube use may increase empyema risk, necessitating intensive pulmonary care and early tube removal.
Area of Science:
- Thoracic Surgery
- Trauma Surgery
- Infectious Diseases
Background:
- Blunt chest injury is a common trauma.
- Closed tube thoracostomy is frequently used for management.
- Post-traumatic empyema thoracis is a potential complication.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the incidence of post-traumatic empyema thoracis.
- To identify risk factors associated with its development.
- To recommend preventive strategies.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective analysis of 42 patients with isolated blunt chest injury.
- Fisher's exact test for univariate analysis.
- Logistic Regression for multivariate analysis.
Main Results:
- Three patients (7.1%) developed post-traumatic empyema thoracis.
- Staphylococcus aureus was identified in pleural fluid cultures.
- Age and prolonged thoracostomy tube placement showed a trend towards increased risk.
Conclusions:
- Elderly patients and prolonged chest tube drainage may be associated with higher empyema risk.
- Intensive pulmonary care for elderly patients is recommended.
- Early removal of thoracostomy tubes may help prevent empyema.