Video-Assisted Thoracoscopic Resection of Fractured Ribs to Prevent Descending Aorta Injury in Patient with Chest Trauma

Abstract

Blunt chest trauma frequently leads to various complications such as pneumothorax, hemothorax, and lung contusion. Since neighboring organ injury caused by a rib fracture with chest trauma could be fatal when a great vessel is involved, immediate diagnosis and treatment including surgery are important. Here, we present a case of chest trauma, in which we performed video-assisted thoracoscopic rib resection to prevent injury to the descending aorta by the fractured rib tip.