Surgical Treatment of Hemoptysis: Analysis of 17 Cases

Aim: In this study, the patients who underwent surgery for hemoptysis were analyzed retrospectively. The cases were discussed with the literature. Material and Method: Seventeen patients who were admitted to our hospital and underwent surgery for hemoptysis between 2004 and 2010, were retrospectively reviewed. Age, gender, underlying pulmonary disease, symptoms, diagnosis, treatment type, surgical indication, morbidity, recurrence, mortality of the patients were reviewed. Results: Mean age of the 17 patients (6 women, 11 men) was 37.4713.25. The most common causes of hemoptysis were lung cancer (29.41%), active pulmonary tuberculosis, bronchiectasis and hydatid cyst (17.64%). It was the first hemoptysis attack in 12(70.59%) cases and was recurrent in 5(29.41%) cases. 6 of 17 cases (32.30%) had mild hemoptysis and in 3 of those (50%) the reason of hemoptysis was lung cancer. The most common associating symptoms were cough and weakness (44.17%). There were abnormal findings on chest radiograph of the 8 (47.05%) of the cases, while in thorax CT images of 13 (76.47%) and 7 (58.33%) of bronchoscopy. We treated these patients with posterolateral thoracotomy (12 cases) and Video-Assisted Thoracoscopic Surgery (5 cases). The morbidity was seen in 3 patients (17.64%). The mortality rate was 5.88% (n:1). Recurrence developed in 1 (5.88%) patients in this series. Discussion: As a result, the leading cause of the hemoptysis was lung cancer. It was seen that computed tomography has a higher value than fiberoptic bronchoscopy in diagnostic evaluation. Especially, if cause of hemoptysis in localized lesions, surgery should be considered a priority. Massive bleeding may require emergency surgical intervention.