VATS in thoracic trauma

Introduction: VATS is increasingly used in diagnosis, and in therapeutic management in stables patients with thoracic injuries. This study was designed to evaluate the effectiveness of this method in case of chest trauma, in short term reduction of pain, dosage of analgesia used, duration of hospitalization, in restoring lung function and reducing complications. Method: The study was conducted on 70 patients with chest trauma (penetrating or closed). Results: The various thoracoscopic procedures were performed: the evacuation of remaining clots, pleural lavage, electrocoagulation, lung parenchymal stapling repair, repair of the diaphragm). Pain relief (p <0.001), improvement in dyspneea (p <0.05), rapid restoration of pulmonary function and radiological improvement were statistically significantly more favorable in 7-day treatment group with less length of hospital stay (p <0.001). Conclusions: VATS is a better option in management of traumatic thoracic injuries with lower complication rate and possibly shorter duration of stay in hospital.