[Optimization of surgical strategy in trauma of the chest: correlation of thoracoscopy and thoracotomy].

The authors analyzed an experience with treatment of 4372 patients. Videothoracoscopy allowed the number of usual drainages of the pleural cavity to be reduced in closed trauma from 16.3% to 2.3%, in wounds--from 3.9% to 0.4%. Persistent hemo- and airstasis were obtained by coagulation of the vessels of the thoracic wall and lung, suturing lung wounds. The coagulated hemothorax was removed, diaphragm wounds were sutured, the pericardium wounds were revised, the character of intrathoracic lesions was reliably determined in 98% of cases. Conversion into thoracotomy was fulfilled in 91 (5.5%) patients. Thoracotomy was fulfilled in 344 (8%) patients with indications to operative interventions and severe condition and unstable hemodynamics. The number of thoracotomies and lethality in patients with penetrating wounds of the chest became 1.5-2 times less, was not considerably changed in closed traumas.