Traumatic Hemothorax Drainage and Daily Lavage: Pilot Study

Launched by UNIVERSITY OF PENNSYLVANIA · Apr 17, 2025

Keywords

ClinConnect Summary

The "Traumatic Hemothorax Drainage and Daily Lavage" study is a clinical trial designed to explore how different sizes of chest tubes and daily cleaning of the chest can help patients with traumatic hemothorax, which is bleeding in the chest cavity caused by an injury. In this study, 20 stable trauma patients who need a chest tube for their condition will be enrolled. Participants will be randomly assigned to receive either a larger or smaller chest tube and will have their chest cleaned daily to see how well this treatment works. Researchers will look at various outcomes, including the amount of blood in the chest, any complications, how long patients stay in the hospital, and what the patients themselves think about their care.

To be eligible for this study, participants must be at least 15 years old, be able to give consent, and have a significant amount of bleeding in their chest that needs treatment. They should also be stable, meaning their heart rate and blood pressure are at safe levels. Unfortunately, younger patients, pregnant women, and those who have already had surgery for their condition cannot participate. If you join the study, you can expect to have a chest tube placed, daily cleaning, and follow-up CT scans to monitor your progress. This research aims to improve treatment options for patients with similar injuries in the future.

Gender

ALL

Eligibility criteria

• Inclusion Criteria:
• • 1. Able to provide consent for the research study
• • 2. More than 15 years of age
• • 3. Presence of acute traumatic HTX or HTX-PTX diagnosed on chest CT scan within 24 hours of injury and clinical indication for drainage (hemothorax of moderate or large size greater then 300 mL)
• • 4. Hemodynamic stability (heart rate 120 beats per minute; systolic blood pressure 90 mmHg)
• • 5. Bilateral or unilateral hemothorax of greater than 300 mL HTX by Mergo Formula from chest CT
• • 6. Able to complete the entire study including randomization, tube placement, lavages and final CT Scan.
• Exclusion Criteria:
• • 1. Less than 15 years of Age
• • 2. Prisoner
• • 3. Pregnant due to the risk of CT scans
• • 4. HTX or HTX-PTX not requiring drainage or drainage performed prior to randomization/enrollment
• • 5. Patients undergoing operative intervention (i.e. thoracotomy) as initial management of hemothorax (6) Persistent hemodynamic instability after initial resuscitation and CT imaging