Hemothorax from the stapled line after video-assisted thoracoscopic bullectomy

Abstract

A 17-year-old man underwent video-assisted thoracoscopic (VATS) bullectomy because of recurrent, spontaneous pneumothorax of the left lung. However, 6 h later, gradually, 500 mL of bloody fluid was seen. The bloody fluid continued to drain, so we decided on an emergency reoperation. Continuous bleeding was present along a line consistent with the stapled line of the edge of segment 6. We performed a VATS wedge resection with the edge of segment 6 folded up. Postoperatively, recovery was uneventful. Some reports demonstrated that intrapulmonary bleeding occurred late, at the stapled line. However, to our knowledge there has been no previous report on hemothorax just after surgery. This is the first report of hemothorax at the stapled line, developing after VATS bullectomy.