Practice Management Guidelines for Management of Hemothorax and Occult Pneumothorax

STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM Thoracic trauma is a notable cause of morbidity and mortality in American trauma centers, where 25% of traumatic deaths are related to injuries sustained within the thoracic cage.1 Chest injuries occur in ∼60% of polytrauma cases; therefore, a rough estimate of the occurrence of hemothorax related to trauma in the United States approaches 300,000 cases per year.2 The management of hemothorax and pneumothorax has been a complex problem since it was first described over 200 years ago. Although the majority of chest trauma can be managed nonoperatively, there are several questions surrounding the management of hemothorax and occult pneumothorax that are not as easily answered. The technologic advances have raised the question of what to do with incidentally found hemothorax and pneumothorax discovered during the trauma evaluation. Previously, we were limited by our ability to visualize quantities <500 mL of blood on chest radiograph. Now that smaller volumes of blood can be visualized via chest computed tomography (CT), the management of these findings presents interesting clinical questions. In addition to early identification of these processes, these patients often find themselves with late complications such as retained hemothorax and empyema. The approach to these complex problems continues to evolve. Finally, as minimally invasive surgery grows and finds new applications, there are reproducible benefits to the patients in pursuing these interventions as both a diagnostic and therapeutic interventions. Video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS) has a growing role in the management of trauma patients. PROCESS A computerized search of the National Library of Medicine MEDLINE database was undertaken using the PubMed Entrez interface. English language citations during the period of 1965 through 2008 using the primary search strategy: hemothoraxmh pneumothoraxmh AND humansmh NOT (case reportspt OR letterpt OR commentpt OR newspt) Review articles were also excluded. The PubMed Related Articles algorithm was also used to identify additional articles similar to the items retrieved by the primary strategy. Of ∼127 articles identified by these two techniques, those dealing with either prospective or retrospective studies examining hemothorax and pneumothorax were selected, comprising 43 institutional studies evaluating diagnosis and management of adult patients with hemothorax or pneumothorax (Table 1). The articles were reviewed by a group of nine surgeons who collaborated to produce this practice management guideline.TABLE 1: Practice Management Guidelines for Pulmonary Contusion and Flail Chest 1991–PresentTABLE 1: Practice Management Guidelines for Pulmonary Contusion and Flail Chest 1991–Present (continued)TABLE 1: Practice Management Guidelines for Pulmonary Contusion and Flail Chest 1991–Present (continued)TABLE 1: Practice Management Guidelines for Pulmonary Contusion and Flail Chest 1991–Present (continued)The correlation between the evidence and the recommendations is as follows: Level 1 This recommendation is convincingly justifiable based on the available scientific information alone. It is usually based on Class I data; however, strong Class II evidence may form the basis for a Level 1 recommendation, especially if the issue does not lend itself to testing in a randomized format. Conversely, weak or contradictory Class I data may not be able to support a Level 1 recommendation. Level 2 This recommendation is reasonably justifiable by available scientific evidence and strongly supported by expert critical care opinion. It is usually supported by Class II data or a preponderance of Class III evidence. Level 3 This recommendation is supported by available data, but adequate scientific evidence is lacking. It is generally supported by Class III data. This type of recommendation is useful for educational purposes and in guiding future research. RECOMMENDATIONS Diagnosis Ultrasound can reliably be used to identify pneumothorax and pleural effusion (Level 2). CT of the chest is indicated in patients with persistent opacity on chest radiograph after tube thoracostomy to determine whether significant undrained fluid exists (Level 2). Primary VATS of stable penetrating thoracoabdominal wounds is safe and effective for the diagnosis and management of selected diaphragm and pulmonary injuries (Level 2). Management of Massive Hemothorax Patient physiology should be the primary indications for surgical intervention rather than absolute numbers of initial or persistent output (Level 2). 1500 mL via a chest tube in any 24-hour period regardless of mechanism should prompt consideration for surgical exploration (Level II). Management of Hemothorax All hemothoraces, regardless of size, should be considered for drainage (Level 3). Attempt of initial drainage of hemothorax should be with a tube thoracostomy (Level 3). Persistent retained hemothorax, seen on plain films, after placement of a thoracostomy tube should be treated with early VATS, not a second chest tube (Level 1). VATS should be done in the first 3 days to 7 days of hospitalization to decrease the risk of infection and conversion to thoracotomy (Level 2). Intrapleural thrombolytic may be used to improve drainage of subacute (6-day to 13-day duration) loculated or exudative collections, particularly patients where risks of thoracotomy are significant (Level 3). Management of Occult Pneumothorax 1. Occult pneumothorax, those not seen on chest radiograph, may be observed in a stable patient regardless of positive pressure ventilation (Level 3). 3. Scoring systems are not accurate in predicting which patients will need a tube thoracostomy for occult pneumothorax (Level 3). 4. A persistent air leak on postinjury day 3 should prompt a VATS evaluation (Level 2). SCIENTIFIC FOUNDATION Historical Background Hemorrhage from or within the chest has been detailed in numerous medical writings dating back to ancient times. Although lesser forms of trauma were commonly treated in the ancient physician's daily practice, major injuries, especially those to the chest, were difficult to treat and often lethal. By the 18th century, treatment for hemothorax was advocated; however, surgeons disagreed as to its form. A number of surgeons, including John Hunter in 1794, advocated the creation of an intercostal incision and drainage of the hemothorax. Those of the opposing view recommended closure of chest wounds without drainage. Although Hunter's method was effective in evacuating the hemothorax, the morbidity associated with the creation of an iatrogenic pneumothorax as a result of the procedure was significant. The risks associated with wound closure or conservative management included the possibility that empyema with sepsis would develop or that persistent trapped lung with permanent reduction of pulmonary function would result. Observing the advantages and dangers of both forms of therapy, Guthrie, in the early 1800s, proposed early evacuation of blood through an existing chest wound. He asserted that if bleeding from the chest persisted, the wound should be closed in the hope that existing intrathoracic pressure would halt the bleeding. If the desired effect was accomplished, he advised that the wound be reopened several days later for the evacuation of retained clotted blood or serous fluid. By the 1870s, early hemothorax evacuation by trocar and cannula or by intercostal incision was considered standard practice. Not long after this, underwater seal drainage was described by a number of different physicians. This basic technique has remained the most common form of treatment for hemothorax and other pleural fluid collections to this day.3 Diagnostic Evaluation of Hemothorax Plain Films The upright chest radiograph remains the primary diagnostic study in the acute evaluation of hemothorax. In the normal unscarred pleural space, a hemothorax is noted as a meniscus of fluid blunting the costophrenic angle or diaphragmatic surface and tracking up the pleural margins of the chest wall when viewed on the upright chest X-ray (CXR) film. As much as 400 mL to 500 mL of blood is required to obliterate the costophrenic angle as seen on an upright chest radiograph. In the acute trauma setting, the portable supine chest radiograph may be the first and only view available from which to make definitive decisions regarding therapy. The presence and size of a hemothorax is much more difficult to evaluate on supine films. As much as 1,000 mL of blood may be missed when viewing a portable supine CXR film. CXR has been found to be a poor predictor of patients requiring a VATS.4 Ultrasound Trauma ultrasonography is used at some trauma centers in the initial evaluation of patients for hemothorax. One drawback of ultrasonography for the identification of traumatic hemothorax is that associated injuries readily seen on chest radiographs in the trauma patient, such as bony injuries, widened mediastinum, and pneumothorax, are not readily identifiable on chest ultrasonography. One advantage is the ability to detect pneumothorax more quickly in circumstances than plain films or CT would allow.5 There continues to be a push to move ultrasound application to the intensive care unit (ICU) bedside to allow the intensivist to gain information without the burden of transporting patients. Ultrasound has reliably been shown to document the presence and volume of a pleural effusion. Intensivists have also attempted to use it to document pulmonary contusions with less success.6,7 The current role of ultrasound in the ICU would appear to be when CT is unavailable or if the patient's physiology would not permit transport. The sensitivity and specificity are not superior to CT, and ultrasound does not offer a global picture of the thoracic anatomy. Computed Tomography Computed tomographic scan is a highly accurate diagnostic study for pleural fluid or blood. In the initial trauma setting, it does not necessarily have a primary role in the diagnosis of hemothorax and pulmonary contusion but is complementary to chest radiography. CT may actually be too sensitive in identifying clinically nonsignificant injuries.8 This is an area of controversy not addressed in this Practice Management Guidelines. Because many victims of blunt trauma do undergo a chest and/or abdominal computed tomographic scan evaluation, hemothorax not seen on initial chest radiographs might be identified and treated. Computed tomographic scan may also be value later in the course of the chest trauma for localization and quantification of any retained collections of clot and potential empyema within the pleural space. Numerous authors have suggested the need for further evaluation of persistent abnormal plain film findings or patients who fail to progress on the ventilator with CT.9,10 Early, aggressive investigation of potential hemothorax can lead to the discovery of pathologic processes that can have an effect on patient's short and long-term recovery. Conversely, delaying further imaging may severely limit the physicians options for operative approaches.9 Primary Video-Assisted Thoracoscopy Surgeons continue to explore the utility of VATS procedures for both primary diagnosis and therapy. In stable trauma patients with thoracic injuries, proceeding directly to VATS to identify injuries even before placement of a chest tube has been shown to be safe.11,12 It is unknown based on the current literature if such a course of actions leads to shorter hospitalizations or fewer complications than tube thoracostomy alone. In the case of thoracoabdominal wounds, VATS can identify injuries missed on CT.11,13 Evaluation of the Evidence Supporting Early Operative Management for Massive Hemothorax Thoracotomy is the procedure of choice for surgical exploration of the chest when massive hemothorax or persistent bleeding is present. Traditional criteria indicating the necessity to proceed with urgent thoracotomy are as follows: More than 1,500 mL of blood immediately evacuated by tube thoracostomy. Persistent bleeding from the chest, defined as 150 mL/h to 200 mL/h for 2 hours to 4 hours. Persistent blood transfusion is required to maintain hemodynamic stability. These criteria were developed from expert opinion and not from prospective trials. In fact, submitting these criteria to prospective study would be difficult and unethical. Instead, the evidence to supporting indications for urgent thoracotomy based on tube thoracostomy output is derived from a variety of descriptive retrospective studies over the past 30 years. In these case series of mostly penetrating chest injuries, surgeons merely contrasted patients who “required” urgent thoracotomy with those patients who did not.14–19 The military experience in World War II and Vietnam also helped to establish many of the indications for penetrating trauma to the chest.19 Indications for urgent thoracotomy were based on physiology, a premise is still recommended, and minimum chest tube output amounts (i.e., 800 mL) which has inflated over time. The numbers for both initial output and persistent output have continued to increase as surgeons have taken more liberties over time. These early studies suffered from a lack of statistical power or ability to differentiate from a control group. Mansour et al.20 attempted to establish a difference between penetrating and blunt injury observing that patients with blunt trauma rarely required urgent intervention based on chest tube output. They suggested that physiology and refractory shock rather than absolute volumes of output should be the indication for urgent thoracotomy. Karmy-Jones et al.21 attempted to define the indications for urgent thoracotomy more clearly in a multicenter retrospective trial. They advocated thoracotomy when total chest tube output exceeded 1,500 mL in a 24-hour period regardless of the mechanism of injury. In this series, mortality increased linearly with chest tube output and the mortality at 1,500 mL was three times greater than at 500 mL. This finding lends validity to the proposed volume of 1,500 mL as an indicator for thoracotomy, but this report did not elaborate on the coexisting physiologic parameters that were present at different chest tube outputs. Evaluation of the Evidence Supporting Early Operative Management for Retained Hemothorax Tube thoracostomy drainage is the primary mode of treatment for hemothorax. In adult patients, large-bore chest tubes, usually 36 F to 42 F, is the traditional means used to achieve adequate drainage in adults. Surgeons debate how large a hemothorax can be safely observed. Billelo et al.22 contended that collections <1.5 cm on CT can be observed, but their report is severely limited by a lack of long-term follow-up to determine the true risk of fibrothorax or empyema. Others contend that empyema can be prevented entirely by evacuation of hemothorax in the first 7 days.23,24 Conversely, radiographically apparent hemothorax after chest tube placement leads to a 33% rate of empyema.25 Most authors have used the estimated volume of 500 mL, the amount needed to be seen on plain X-ray, as the entry point into studies looking at evacuation of retained hemothorax.4,23,26 It is unknown whether complications of retained hemothorax including empyema and fibrothorax could be decreased by a more aggressive approach. After tube thoracostomy is performed, a repeat chest radiograph should always be obtained. This helps identify chest tube position, helps determine completeness of the hemothorax evacuation, and may reveal other intrathoracic pathology previously obscured by the hemothorax. The presence of retained hemothorax on postplacement CXR has been shown to be an independent predictor of the development of an empyema in 33% of patients.25 If drainage is incomplete as visualized on the postthoracostomy chest radiograph, placement of a second drainage tube should be discouraged. In a prospective randomized trial, Meyer et al.27 showed that patients who had retained hemothorax on plain films 72 hours after initial chest tube output benefited from early VATS instead of a second chest tube. Patients undergoing VATS had significantly shorter duration of chest tube drainage, fewer days in the hospital after the procedure, and lower hospital costs than putting in a second chest tube. In addition, 10 of the 24 patients who underwent a second chest tube required surgical intervention later in their hospital stay. Evaluation of the Evidence for the Timing of Surgical Intervention The timing of surgical intervention for retained hemothorax continues to be controversial. VATS performed early in the patient's hospital course may be associated with less morbidity.12,23,27,28 Early VATS (before day 3) results in statistically significant reduction in operative difficulty, contamination/infection of clot, and hospital length of stay compared with those performed later.26 There seems to be no absolute contraindication to attempting VATS in a delayed fashion as successful procedures have been performed as far out as 14 days.29 The surgeon should be prepared and counsel the patient that conversion to thoracotomy becomes more likely after 5 days.26,28 Operative Approach Successful thoracoscopic surgery for retained hemothorax is being reported with greater frequency. Several surgeons have made the claim that VATS has distinct advantages over open thoracotomy for the evacuation of retained hemothorax and empyema.28,30 Benefits named include fewer pulmonary complications, shorter time to recovery, and less long-term complications have been shown to be in In an to move to a method of evacuating retained hemothorax, authors have proposed using authors have been able to document clot evacuation using Although these studies have it is difficult to the of the made in the of the evacuation rather than et showed that VATS is a more effective procedure than for the management of retained hemothorax with VATS patients a statistically significant shorter hospital stay and decreased need for additional therapy. would have to be seen as a surgical intervention when the risks of surgery are too to the patient's Evaluation of the Evidence Supporting Management for Occult Pneumothorax As computed tomographic scan is being performed more commonly in the evaluation of trauma patients, many injuries are which had previously not been Occult pneumothorax, usually defined as a pneumothorax that is seen on chest CT but not on plain films, is being more authors have that some of these occult are rather than data would support that a chest tube will lead to hospital and ICU The issue is to determine the that will progress and that can safely be observed. et used the of the pneumothorax to which would fail and found only pneumothorax could be observed with a rate of et attempted to using a based on size and in a retrospective question has been the of positive pressure authors have patients who were to undergo positive pressure included in the et attempted to the question in a prospective They found that patients with treated with who underwent positive pressure ventilation developed an rate of complications with 3 of the patients on positive pressure a Conversely, et found the to be true in a prospective randomized They found no increase in complications regardless of whether chest tube or was two of the three patients in the who required a chest tube for of the pneumothorax did after being on positive pressure studies suffered from numbers but would support the that the majority of patients with occult will not have regardless of the presence of positive pressure Evaluation of the Evidence Supporting Management of of patients with chest trauma will develop a empyema. This number is in penetrating authors have attempted to define the risk for empyema. There are risk that appear in studies including persistent pleural and the duration of a tube In addition, the placement of has been associated in a and fashion to lead to empyema. These findings have lead authors to evacuation of the chest trauma to the morbidity of Indications for VATS in the Trauma There is also data to support the use of VATS for other In addition to its value in diagnostic evaluation and evacuation of retained hemothorax, authors have described its value in persistent The and rate in identifying the has been for this et found that in patients with a persistent air undergoing a VATS at day 3 had shorter hospital and less days with a chest tube. the data increased chest tube days and empyema could that this might also decrease late plain films are used a but additional imaging in the form of CT is needed in any patient that has persistent after placement of tube thoracostomy. The should to the chest of retained hemothorax as early in the hospital course as the patient's physiology will The of this would be a VATS over a second chest tube. VATS can be attempted in the first 5 days with a conversion rate to thoracotomy, but there is a rate after this time of this initial does not attempting a thoracoscopic approach for retained hemothorax or for empyema but should be undertaken with both the surgeons and patient's for an increased possibility of open thoracotomy. The to early evacuation of retained hemothorax with VATS is likely to the number of patients who develop the of empyema and Although it an operative procedure to the patient's this approach definitive the morbidity of a thoracotomy, and total hospital stay when compared with more conservative management