The Japanese journal of thoracic and cardiovascular surgery : official publication of the Japanese Association for Thoracic Surgery = Nihon Kyōbu Geka Gakkai zasshi
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Jpn. J. Thorac. Cardiovasc. Surg. · Jun 1998
Case ReportsReconstruction of thoracic wall defects after tumor resection using a polytetrafluoroethylene soft tissue (Gore-Tex) patch.
Recently, there have been a few reports recommending use of a 2 mm thick polytetrafluoroethylene soft tissue (Gore-Tex) patch for repair of thoracic wall defects. The potential role of these Gore-Tex patches was examined. ⋯ Our experience with Gore-Tex patches has been positive, and we recommend patch closure for thoracic wall defects.
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Of 161 patients with blunt thoracic injury, 135 were male (83.9%) and 26 were female. The most common cause of injury was traffic accidents (130 patients, 80.7%), followed by falls (22 patients), and crushing (7 patients). There were 46 third decade and 36 second decade patients. ⋯ Continued bleeding at a rate of more than 200 ml/h from the chest drainage tube or no recovery from shock and large air leakage preventing re-expansion of the lung are indications for emergency thoracotomy. Thoracotomy should also be considered after conservative treatment in patients with continued air leakage or intrabronchial bleeding negatively affecting respiration. Indications for thoracotomy should be determined individually based on evaluating of vital sign.