Rethoracotomy because of hemorrhage in the early postoperative period after operations on the lungs and mediastinal organs

: During the period from 1967 till 1994 2760 operations were performed on the lungs and mediastinum organs. In 75 patients (2,72%) intrapleural bleedings took place at the early postoperative period which led to rethoracotomies. Based on an analysis of their material the authors made a conclusion that in all the cases in which the intrapleural bleeding was diagnosed rethoracotomy was necessary. All the rethoracotomies were divided into urgent which should be performed as soon as diagnosis of continuing massive intrapleural bleeding was made, and postponed ones when the bleeding was not threatening during the first hours after operation, AP did not decrease, there was no considerable drop of Hb and Ht. From the 75 patients ten patients died after rethoracotomy and 65 patients recovered.