Is a Chest Radiograph After Thoracostomy Tube Removal Necessary? A Cost-Effective Analysis

Worldwide traumatic injury costs an estimated $518 billion [1]. With thoracic injury occurring in approximately 60% of polytrauma patients [2] and penetrating thoracic injuries accounting for up to 13% of trauma admissions [3], thoracic injury represents a significant economic impact on the healthcare system. Pneumothorax (PTX) and hemothorax (HTX) are common pathologies in thoracic trauma patients. The placement of a thoracostomy tube (TT) to evacuate the chest following these injuries has been used since World War II and the Korean war [4], remaining the standard of care for evacuation and initial management of most traumatic hemothoraces and pneumothoraces (HPTX).

Source: Injury - July 25, 2020 Category: Orthopaedics Authors: Genna Beattie, Caitlin M. Cohan, Kathryn Chomsky-Higgins, Annie Tang, Lara Senekjian, Gregory P. Victorino Source Type: research