Analysis of 31 cases with ribs fracture combined with delayed hemothorax

The clinical data of 31 patients with delayed hemothorax between August 2003 to November 2010 was retrospectively analyzed. All patients had chest pain, difficult breathing in 14 cases (45％), heart rate increased in 19 patients (61％), fever in 16 cases (52％), abdomen pain in 3 patients (10％), and shock in 1 case (3％). Haemothorax was medium to massive and combined with pneumothorax in 9 cases. Twenty one patients received closed chest drainage, 4 recieved chest puncture to eliminate fluid, 5 were treated conservatively, and 1 had surgery for diaphragmatic hernia and hemorrhage.All patients recovered eventually. The key of diagnosis and treatment for delayed hemothorax is to take chest X-ray for patients with rib fractures in 2 to 9 days after chest trauma, and carefully observing the changes of chest signs, breathing, heart rate and body temperature. Key words: Rib fractures;  Hemothorax