Published in:
16-05-2024 | Hemothorax | Case Report
Delayed hemothorax after anterior vertebral body tethering in adolescent idiopathic scoliosis: a case report
Published in: European Spine Journal | Issue 7/2024
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Purpose
The aim of this case report is to report that delayed hemothorax is possible after anterior vertebral body tethering (aVBT) and to illustrate the course of treatment.
Methods
We present a 15-year-old boy with adolescent idiopathic scoliosis who underwent an anterior thoracoscopic assisted vertebral body tethering who developed a massive right-sided hemothorax 12 days post-operatively. A chest tube was placed to drain the hemothorax and later required embolectomy with tissue plasminogen activator (TPA) to drain the retained hemothorax.
Results
At 1 month follow up post discharge the patient was asymptomatic, and radiograph did not demonstrate evidence of residual hemothorax and scoliosis. We have followed this patient for 5 years postoperative and he continues to do well clinically and radiographically.
Conclusions
Pulmonary complications are a known drawback of anterior thoracoscopic spinal instrumentation. Delayed hemothorax is possible after aVBT. In the case of a retained hemothorax, chest tube treatment with TPA is a safe and effective method of embolectomy.