How doctors treat blood around the lung after a crash
Insight from a thoracic trauma surgeon on a hemothorax
After a hard hit to the chest, blood can collect in the space between a lung and the chest wall. Doctors call this a hemothorax. It may happen along with a collapsed lung. Blood in that space can make it harder to breathe. [1, 2]
A chest drain may remove the blood. Some people need a procedure to stop the bleeding or to clear out blood that stays trapped. A thoracic trauma surgeon, who treats chest injuries, decides whether the lung is filling out. The surgeon also judges whether the blood is clearing. [1, 2]
Find out what your last scan showed
Ask which side was affected, how the blood was drained and whether any pocket of blood was left. Ask if another X ray or CT scan is planned. If you had surgery, keep the operation report. [1, 2]
When the chest tube comes out, the team has judged it ready to be removed. Removing the tube doesn’t settle every question about leftover blood or a later infection. [1, 2]
Keep breathing deeply and keep moving
Follow your plan for pain control, walking and breathing exercises. Your pain control should let you breathe deeply and cough. If you also have broken ribs or a bruised lung, ask which activities are safe. Tell the team if pain makes it hard to cough up mucus. Ask who checks a cough or shortness of breath that hangs on, and when your next visit is due. [1]
Don't sit on a new chest problem
Get emergency care for shortness of breath that gets worse, fainting or severe chest pain. Call the team promptly for a fever, a cough that’s getting worse or mucus that has changed color. Blood left in the chest can sometimes get infected or keep the lung from filling out. These symptoms need an exam and may need imaging. [1, 2]
Questions for your chest surgeon
- Was any blood left after the drain or surgery?
- Who orders the next chest image, and who reads it?
- Which breathing or infection signs mean I need urgent care?
Keep your scan results with your discharge papers
Sources and further reading
This is general education from the field of thoracic trauma surgery. Get urgent care for any change in your breathing, fainting or severe chest pain.
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