THORACIC PACKING FOR POSTOPERATIVE HEMORRHAGE

Major hemorrhage after pulmonary resection is infrequent. It is usuall y due to an unsecured vessel, and immediate reoperation to control hem orrhage is indicated. Diffuse bleeding from raw chest wall surfaces ca n complicate pleurectomy. Control of bleeding from this cause is diffi cult, and standard techniques may fail. Thoracic packing is occasional ly needed. The authors describe a technique for thoracic packing. This technique permits removal of thoracic packing at the bedside, and sim plifies subsequent management of an empyema, should one develop.