Complications of a hematothorax
In the event of very severe bleeding due to vascular or organ injuries to the chest, uncontrollable blood loss can occur, which can lead to imminent danger to life. For this reason, a hematothorax should be treated as quickly as possible by specialist personnel or, as an initial measure, by an emergency doctor. If survival is assured, however, late complications of the hematothorax can still occur.
A therapeutic or traumatic opening of the thorax can lead to the risk of infection. These can manifest themselves in many different forms. This can lead to pleuritis, i.e. inflammation of the pleura.
This can result in numerous complications that may have a long-term effect on breathing.This includes above all the pleural rind. This is an adhesion of the two leaves of the pleura, which is accompanied by a thickening and hardening. This occurs particularly after inflammation of the pleura, which is why the therapeutic administration of antibiotics is particularly important in the context of prophylaxis of inflammation.
The tissue of the pleural rind tends to contract in the course of the procedure, resulting in a loss of elasticity. The lung can no longer fully develop and the respiratory volume decreases as a result. Therefore, a pleural rind should always be treated surgically or avoided in advance by clearing the hematothorax.
