BACKGROUND Penetrating chest injuries are a common cause of hospitalization for young patients.Various types of thoracotomy prevails over the other surgical approaches performed both under absolute and relative indications, depending on the location of wounds. PURPOSE To analyze the tactics and evaluate the possibility of thoracoscopy in order to reduce the number of unreasonable thoracotomies and reduce trauma due to surgical intervention. MATERIAL AND METHODS We studied 596 medical histories of victims who had been operated in 2002–2012. Thoracoscopy was performed in 236 patients, traditional tactics was applied in 360 victims. Wounds in the diaphragmatic area of the chest were in 210 victims, in the “heart” area — in 172 patients, in the intersection of these two zones — 44 cases, in the projection of the lung peripheral part — 49 cases and paravertebral area of the chest — in 52 patients. Typical thoracotomy (TT) was performed in 27% of cases, atypical thoracotomy (AT) — 42.5%, and drainage of the pleural space (DPS) — 30.3% of cases. RESULT Thoracoscopy (TS) could be carried out in 42.2% of patients who had undergone TT, and in 79.4% of patients who had undergone AT. Overall performance of the TS was possible in 70% of patients with penetrating chest wounds (PCW). Absolute contraindications for TS occurred in 29.1% of the victims.

It was analyzed own experience of diagnosis and treatment of catamenial (menstrual) pneumothorax and thoracic endometriosis and literature review. It is shown that catamenial pneumothorax has specific clinical and instrumental signs allowing to establish the diagnosis before surgery. It was proposed surgical treatment including the removal of trans diaphragmatic way of pneumothorax development, removal of thoracic endometriosis and the establishment of reliable pleurodesis. It was demonstrated that this volume of surgery can be successfully implemented by using of thoracoscopic access. Relapse prevention includes hormonal therapy for the 6 months after surgery under the supervision of an obstetrician-gynecologist.

The treatment results of the 286 patients with pleural empyem after thoracic injuries (n=107) and closed trauma of the pleural cavity (n=179) were retrospectively analyzed. The frequency of pleural empyem was 1.39% by injuries and 1.34% by the closed thoracic trauma. 15 (14%) patients of the first group developed the bronchopleural fistula, whereas the complication was observed in 32 (17.9%) patients of the second group. The adequate pleural drainage with intrapleural enzyme therapy in acute inflammation period allowed recovery in 78% and 71.9% of patients, respectively. Early videothoracoscopic sanation of the pleural cavity shortened the recovery time in more then 1.5 times. The chronization of the empyem was more often observed after the closed thoracic trauma - 14.5% rather than 6.5% after the open thoracic injury. The lethality rate by pleural empyem was 14% after the open injuries and 15.6% after the closed trauma.

35 patients, operated on the thoracic trauma (ISS - 9±3), had videothoracoscopy on the reason of the continued bleeding (n=6), clotted hemothorax (n=27) or pleura empyem (n=2). The best results were obtained in case of the clotted hemothorax thoracoscopic evacuation within 3 days after bleeding. Even the late use of videothoracoscopic procedures for the treatment of postoperative complications shortens the hospital stay in comparison with the traditional methods. The video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery is an accurate and safe method for the postoperative bleeding complications in hemodynamically stable patients.

The thoracic ultrasound for the detection of hemothorax and hemopericardium was performed in 655 patients with penetrating thoracic trauma. Ultrasound findings were compared with the results of surgical exploration. Sensitivity and specificity of ultrasound in detection of hemothorax was 72.1 and 90.1%; in detection of hemopericardium - 70.6 and 73.7%, respectively. The results of the US diagnostics depended on patients' position (supine or when seated) and on time interval between the examination and surgery. The isolated US investigation in supine position leads to the increase of false negative results. We consider that in hemodynamically stable patients the doutbtfull US data in detection of hemopericardium is the indication to videothoracoscopy. The lower-chest injuries with the US signs of hemothorax are considered to be the indication for VATS except for the obvious left-side thoracoabdominal injuries.

Data of 379 patients with penetrating thoracic wounds were analyzed. The pathologic changes on X-ray of the thoracic cavity were registered 239 (63,1%) patients: the hemothorax was diagnosed in 44,3%, pneumothorax - in 26,8% and hemopneumothorax - in 28,9%. 154 patients had videothoracoscopic surgery and 225 patients were operated on using traditional open methods. Operative findings were compared with X-ray data. The sensitivity of plain chest radiography in diagnostics of hemothorax was 52,1%, the specificity - 92,1%. Mistakes of interpreting X-ray data in diagnosing of low-volume hemo- or pneumothorax were defined. The computed tomography of the thorax proved to be the most precise means of intrapleural injuries diagnostics. The optimal algorithm of preoperative thoracic X-ray was suggested.

BACKGROUND Penetrating chest injuries are a common cause of hospitalization for young patients.Various types of thoracotomy prevails over the other surgical approaches performed both under absolute and relative indications, depending on the location of wounds. PURPOSE To analyze the tactics and evaluate the possibility of thoracoscopy in order to reduce the number of unreasonable thoracotomies and reduce trauma due to surgical intervention. MATERIAL AND METHODS We studied 596 medical histories of victims who had been operated in 2002–2012. Thoracoscopy was performed in 236 patients, traditional tactics was applied in 360 victims. Wounds in the diaphragmatic area of the chest were in 210 victims, in the “heart” area — in 172 patients, in the intersection of these two zones — 44 cases, in the projection of the lung peripheral part — 49 cases and paravertebral area of the chest — in 52 patients. Typical thoracotomy (TT) was performed in 27% of cases, atypical thoracotomy (AT) — 42.5%, and drainage of the pleural space (DPS) — 30.3% of cases. RESULT Thoracoscopy (TS) could be carried out in 42.2% of patients who had undergone TT, and in 79.4% of patients who had undergone AT. Overall performance of the TS was possible in 70% of patients with penetrating chest wounds (PCW). Absolute contraindications for TS occurred in 29.1% of the victims.

224 cases of septic complications after penetrating thoracic injuries were analyzed. Pleura empyem was observed in 105 of 7572 patients (overall number of the injured), lung abscess - in 22 cases, pericarditis was diagnosed in 108 patients, costal and sternal osteomyelitis - in 26 and mediastinitis - in 21 patients. Overall frequency of septic complication was 2,96%. Main reasons of septic complications were: massive blood loss, initial contamination, thoracotomy through the initially infected wound, long -lasting and coagulated hemothorax and late diagnosis and hospitalization. Staphylococcus aureus was the most frequent microbe detected - 29,4%. Lethality rate was 9,8% (22 patients). Adequate drainage of the wound allowed rehabilitation of the majority of patients. Cases with costal osteomyelitis required major surgical dissection in 73,1%.

Basing on the largest experience in the country, authors characterize the dynamics of growth, localizaton and severity of wounds from traumatic (nonlethal) weapon. Every third victim with neck wound had deep neck structures damage. Open wounds of thorax and abdomen, though performed from traumatic weapon, pose a certain life threat.

Results of surgical treatment of 216 patients with thoracic injuries were retrospectively analyzed. 111 (51,4%) were operated on with the use of open technologies, whereas the rest 105 (48,6%) patients were treated with the use of videothoracoscopy. Patients were divided into 2 groups according to the shock score value. Was demonstrated, that videothoracoscopic operation was reasonable by shock score value less then 1,5. In patients with the shock score value more then 1,5, open surgery was more appropriate. Success of videothoracoscopic injury repair is stipulated also by detailed preoperative diagnostics, detecting the extent of the injury of the thorax and wounds of other regions, requiring urgent treatment.

: The thoracoscopy was used at 150 patients with penetrating wounds of thorax. Severity of injury according to ISS scale was 9.02+/-1.1 scores, RTS criteria - 7.84+/-0.0 scores, and TRISS - 99.8+/-0.1%. Lung injuries were diagnosed at 71 (47.3%) patients. Features of various wounds of lung and methods of closure have been analyzed. Bleeding, air intake and intrapulmonary hematoma were the indications for hermetic closure of wound canal. Coagulation of lung wound was performed at 24 (33.8%) patients, closure with endosurgical techniques - 30 (42.2%); the wounds have not been closured at 8 (11.3%) patients. Conversion to thoracotomy was necessary at 5 (7%) patients with deep wounds of lung. The thoracoscopic surgical procedure has been completely performed at 58 (81.7%) patients. The better postoperative results were achieved after endosurgical closure of lung wounds. Computed tomography is perspective method of preoperative diagnosis of lung injury severity.

Thoracoscopy was used in the treatment of 141 patients with penetrating wounds of chest. Injuries of chest wall vessels were diagnosed at 68 (48.2%) patients. Rate of thoracoscopy conversion due to bleeding from chest wall wounds was 4.3%. Thoracoscopy is effective at injuries of intercostals arteries and their muscular branches, but injuries of internal thoracic artery require conversion into thoracotomy at 50% cases. It is revealed that expediency of thoracoscopy is in direct proportion to time from injury point and is inversely to hemothorax volume.

The original technique of video-assisted treatment of floating ribs segments on the basis of three-dimensional computer modeling is described. Surgical tools of own design were applied. The experimental part of work is executed on 30 corpses. In the hospital the method was used in 13 cases with good results. The conclusion is, that mini-invasive fixing of floating ribs segments allows to lower risk of wound and inflammatory complications, and also the complications due to long mechanical ventilation.

Thoracoscopic surgical procedures were used in the treatment of 79 patients with penetrating wound of the thorax complicated by hemothorax. Small hemothorax was diagnosed in 72.1% patients; 56.1% had injuries of thoracic organs, 26.3% -- injuries of diaphragm. Thoracoscopic hemostasis and correction of intrathoracic injuries were performed in 84,6% patients. Conversion to video-assisted minimally-invasive thoracotomy (because of injuries of the diaphragm as a rule) occurred in 15,8% patients, conversion to typical thoracotomy -- in 3.5%. In medium hemothorax (16.4% patients) injuries of thoracic organs and anatomic structures were diagnosed in 76.9% cases. Hemostasis and correction of intrathoracic injuries through thoracoscopic approach were performed in 43.8% patients, conversion to typical thoracotomy was necessary in 7% cases. Big hemothorax was diagnosed in 11.4% patients, 55.6% of them had injuries of thoracic organs and anatomic structures. Complete thoracoscopic procedure was performed in 44.4% cases; 33.3 patients required conversion to thoracotomy. Thoracoscopy is an effective method of surgical treatment of thoracic injuries in patients who don't require urgent thoracotomy. This procedure permits repair of intrathoracic injuries in 73.4% cases. Postoperative complications were seen in 15% cases, postoperative lethality was 1.4%.