Massive hemothorax due to splenic injury and splenectomy via transthoracic approach

An intrathoracic injured spleen is a rare cause of massive hemothorax. Splenectomy can be performed via transthoracic approach if there is no concomitant abdominal organ injury. We report a 35-year-old man with a stab wound who presented with hemopneumothorax. Left-sided urgent thoracotomy was performed because of the rate of chest tube drainage. An injured spleen was seen in the left thoracic cavity. Splenectomy was performed via thoracotomy because of the splenic injury. Keywords: Trauma | Stab wound | Hemothorax | Urgent thoracotomy | Splenectomy
Introduction Stab wounds of the chest are a relatively common form of penetrating chest trauma. Chest tubes play a major therapeutic role in trauma by decompressing air or blood but [...]