Early evacuation of clotted blood in hemothorax using thoracoscopy: case reports
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Updated: Nov 7, 2026

Minimally Invasive Endoscopic Intracerebral Hemorrhage Evacuation
Published on: October 15, 2021
1Department of Surgery, Louisiana State University College of Medicine, Shreveport 71130.
Hemothorax complicated by clotting of the blood is traditionally treated with thoracotomy. Successful treatment using early thoracoscopy in two patients is described. A third patient, in whom thoracoscopic evacuation failed, is also discussed. Early timing of the procedure appears to enhance the opportunity for adequate drainage of the thorax with lung re-expansion.
Hemothorax complicated by clotting of the blood is traditionally treated with thoracotomy. Successful treatment using early thoracoscopy in two patients is described. A third patient, in whom thoracoscopic evacuation failed, is also discussed. Early timing of the procedure appears to enhance the opportunity for adequate drainage of the thorax with lung re-expansion.
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