A 60-year-old man on ICU has a massive haemothorax (1500 mL of blood drained immediately on chest drain insertion following blunt thoracic trauma). De...

Question

A 60-year-old man on ICU has a massive haemothorax (1500 mL of blood drained immediately on chest drain insertion following blunt thoracic trauma). Despite ongoing resuscitation, blood continues to drain at 250 mL/hr. What is the indication for emergency thoracotomy?

Accepted Answer

Initial drainage of >1500 mL, OR ongoing drainage >200 mL/hr for 2-4 hours, indicating a major vascular or cardiac injury requiring surgical control

Answer

Any haemothorax requiring a chest drain

Answer

Only if the patient arrests

Answer

Initial drainage of >500 mL

Answer

Haemothoraces never require surgery

uk-fficm MCQ (SBA): Massive Haemothorax

A 60-year-old man on ICU has a massive haemothorax (1500 mL of blood drained immediately on chest drain insertion following blunt thoracic trauma). Despite ongoing resuscitation, blood continues to drain at 250 mL/hr. What is the indication for emergency thoracotomy?