In light of their own experience and of reports in the literature confirming both the diagnostic and therapeutic efficacies of VATS in chest trauma with pneumothorax and/or hemothorax, the authors propose a treatment protocol prescribing its use 48 h from the traumatic event in all cases of uncontrolled air and/or blood loss. This protocol yielded excellent results, including an uneventful postoperative course, rapid resolution of the signs and symptoms of the chest problem, and no disabling sequelae (empyema and fibrothorax), as well as a relatively shorter hospital stay and hence lower costs than with conservative treatment.
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