Surviving a Severe Chest Injury: The Incredible Journey of Mr. Van

A man in his 60s, Mr. Van, suffered a severe chest injury when he fell down the stairs from a height of 3 meters. The fall resulted in a fracture of his rib cage, pleural effusion, and an increased risk of infection. He was treated at Kien Giang Provincial Hospital, where doctors placed a pleural drain to drain air, fluid, blood or pleural pus from his chest cavity.

However, despite this procedure, Mr. Van’s lungs were not expanding properly after five days. As a result, he was transferred to Tam Anh General Hospital in Ho Chi Minh City for further treatment. At Tam Anh General Hospital, Dr. Tran Quoc Hoai from the Department of Cardiovascular and Thoracic Surgery performed surgery on Mr. Van. It was discovered that he had broken 7 ribs and was suffering from hemothorax.

The surgery involved making a long incision in the chest to remove adhesions, fluid and blood clots while also rearranging and fixing the displaced broken ribs. Following the surgery, Mr. Van experienced no pain and his lungs expanded well with no signs of infection. He was discharged after 5 days of recovery. Chest injuries such as rib fractures are common after accidents and can lead to serious complications if not treated promptly.

It is crucial for patients with chest injuries to seek medical attention immediately and closely monitor for any abnormalities or worsening symptoms to ensure timely treatment and recovery.