Implementation of VATS and NIVATS in Thoracic Trauma

Background: Thoracic injuries occur in 20% to 25% of trauma patients and results in 16,000 deaths annually in the United States. In hospital mortality of isolated thoracic trauma is 49, 2%: 57, 1% in first 6h, 699% in 24h after admission. Minimally invasive exploration of pleural cavity in the trauma settings can make a diagnosis, decrease the number of missed injuries, be a treating tool to stop the bleeding and repair damaged intrathoracic organs. Methods: We perform a prospective study of all patients with thoracic trauma who were admitted to Kyiv City Hospital # 17, Polytrauma department from 2017 to 2025. 1345 patients with thoracic trauma (blunt 995, penetrating 350). Of these 11 patients underwent VATS/NIVATS. Results: All 11 patients received uniportal surgery 5 VATS, 6 NIVATS. Emergency surgery was performed in 4 patients (2 VATS, 2 NIVATS), early surgery in 7 patients (3 VATS, 4 NIVATS). In all emergency cases ongoing bleeding was the cause of surgery. There was no intra- or postoperative mortality Conclusion: Correct anestesiological assessment of the patient's condition and compensatory capabilities, as well as rapid surgical diagnosis of the extent of thoracic trauma and the possibility of VATS/ NIVATS to eliminate the problem (stop the bleeding...), makes them a possible alternative to open surgery.