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Delayed massive hemothorax due to a diaphragmatic laceration caused by lower rib fractures

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Abstract

A delayed hemothorax requiring surgical treatment is considered a rare minor thoracic injury. We experienced four cases of delayed massive hemothorax due to a diaphragmatic laceration caused by lower rib fractures. A computed tomography scan on admission revealed multiple rib fractures in all patients, and at least one fractured lower rib was severely displaced, which injured the diaphragm. The duration between the injury and the diagnosis were 14 h–30 days. Emergency surgical treatment was performed, and intraoperative findings revealed a diaphragmatic laceration with oozing due to injury caused by the edge of a fractured rib. After the operation, all patients were successfully discharged.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of General Thoracic Surgery, Japanese Red Cross Maebashi Hospital, 389-1 Asakura-cho, Maebashi, Gunma, 371-0811, Japan

    Hitoshi Igai, Mitsuhiro Kamiyoshihara, Ryohei Yoshikawa, Fumi Ohsawa & Tomohiro Yazawa

Authors
  1. Hitoshi Igai
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  2. Mitsuhiro Kamiyoshihara
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  3. Ryohei Yoshikawa
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  4. Fumi Ohsawa
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  5. Tomohiro Yazawa
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Hitoshi Igai.

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Conflict of interest

Hitoshi Igai has no conflict of interest. Mitsuhiro Kamiyoshihara has no conflict of interest. Ryohei Yoshikawa has no conflict of interest. Fumi Ohsawa has no conflict of interest. Tomohiro Yazawa has no conflict of interest.

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Igai, H., Kamiyoshihara, M., Yoshikawa, R. et al. Delayed massive hemothorax due to a diaphragmatic laceration caused by lower rib fractures. Gen Thorac Cardiovasc Surg 67, 811–813 (2019). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11748-018-1033-8

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11748-018-1033-8

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