Background: The incidence of delayed hemothorax from blunt chest trauma was only up to 7.4%, massive hemothorax being much rarer.
Case Presentation: We report a case of this uncommon situation involving a 65-year old gentleman with alleged motor-vehicle accident (MVA) sustaining multiple right 2nd to 8th rib fractures. Despite initial in-patient monitoring, he presented to us again on Day-7 post-MVA with acute shortness of breath and chest pain. Chest radiograph showed homogenous opacity over right lung field with the blunting of costophrenic angle. Right thoracostomy tube drained 800 ml of frank blood upon insertion with a total of 1,250 ml within 12 hours. The patient was subsequently transferred to cardiothoracic center for definitive care.
Conclusion: Therefore, the possibility of delayed sequelae following blunt chest trauma should be considered and communicated to the patient to encourage vigilance and home monitoring. Despite rarely requiring emergency surgery, delayed massive hemothorax is potentially life threatening.
Key words: Traffic accidents, hemothorax, thoracostomy, rib fractures, non-penetrating wounds, case report
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