Controlled thoracic drainage with intermittent clamping during resuscitation of critically unstable patient before surgery: A potentially lifesaving strategy for massive hemothorax in a conflict zone mass casualty incident.

BACKGROUND: Massive hemothorax after penetrating trauma is a rapidly lethal condition. Standard management calls for immediate chest tube drainage, that aims for lung expansion tamponading bleeding vessels. Paradoxically, draining a massive hemothorax that is resulting from heart, major vessels or deep lung parenchyma laceration may abolish tamponade and precipitate catastrophic hemorrhage before surgical control is achieved. In resource-limited settings or mass casualty incidents (MCIs), surgical delay compounds this risk.

CASE PRESENTATION: A 30-year-old male sustained a gunshot injury during a conflict-zone MCI, presenting with hypotension (weak radial pulse, HR 90) and right massive hemothorax confirmed by e-FAST. With no immediate surgical access and ongoing blood product preparation, controlled thoracic drainage was initiated. The chest tube was clamped twice. This strategy preserved temporary tamponade, allowed time for transfusion and operative preparation, and enabled safe transfer to definitive surgery. Surgery revealed a 10 cm right lower lobe laceration, which went on to receive primary repair. The patient survived without major complications and remains under follow-up.

CONCLUSION: This case should open discussion about the heterogencity of interathoracic bleeding and its source. In some cases, controlled drainage with intermittent clamping may balance preservation of tamponade effect and hemorrhage control: this provides a vital bridge in resource-constrained environment with delayed access to thoracotomy. Incorporating this approach in trauma protocols should be further investigated and considered.