Korean J Thorac Cardiovasc Surg.  1998 Dec;31(12):1243-1246.

Laceration of Left Main Bronchus and Azygos Vein Following Stab Wound: 1 case report

• Lee SY
• Shin WS
• Kwak YT
• Bae CY
• Kim DW
• Yoon YC
• Lee GH

Abstract

Tracheobronchial injuries are uncommon. Except for the cervical region, most tracheobronchial injuries are due to blunt chest trauma in Korea. The depth of the tracheobronchial trees renders these structures relatively safe from stab wound. We experienced a case of left main bronchial laceration with azygos vein tear following stab wound in the back of right chest firstly in Korea. The patient was a 24 years old male. A routine chest radiography showed a knife in chest at emergency room. We didn't remove the knife at emergency room. This patient was carried to operation room in 30 minutes after arrival of our hospital without computed tomography and bronchoscopy. The operation was performed through standard right posterolateral thoracotomy and then the knife was removed. The left main bronchus and azyos vein were lacerated obliquely. The penetrated azygos vein was ligated and the laceration of the left main bronchus was repaired. Postoperative course was uneventful.

Keyword

Bronchial injury; Wound; penetrating; Azygos vein

MeSH Terms

Azygos Vein*
Bronchi*
Bronchoscopy
Emergency Service, Hospital
Humans
Korea
Lacerations*
Male
Radiography
Thoracotomy
Thorax
Veins
Wounds and Injuries
Wounds, Stab*
Young Adult