Uniportal video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery for retained shrapnel in the thoracic cavity: An update surgical approach for removal of foreign body

Uniportal video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery commonly used for removal of bullet, tumours and foreign bodies in the chest cavity. However, shrapnel fragments related war can injure many organs and life-threatening condition. Furthermore, standard treatment for removal foreign bodies retained in the chest is conventional thoracotomy. Alternatively, single port video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery approach can be used in patients hemodynamically stable. In addition, retained foreign bodies after a penetrating thoracic injury remain challenge for u-VATS surgeons. Here we present A 35-year-old man presented to the emergency department with multiple shells injury associate with right site chest injury. The patient underwent surgery using uniportal video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery u-VATS without spreading of the ribs for removal of a shrapnel retained in the thoracic cavity. The postoperative course was uneventful. On the 2nd day postoperative, the patient was discharged home. The u-VATS approach could be performed by experienced u-VATS surgeons and specialized nurses for this approach. In conclusion, our study revealed that u-VATS is safe, simple and feasible for retained foreign bodies in the thoracic cavity. The u-VATS have many benefits such as decrease postoperative complication, pain and earlier return to work.