{Reference Type}: Case Reports
{Title}: Delayed hemothorax after anterior vertebral body tethering in adolescent idiopathic scoliosis: a case report.
{Author}: Wilock K;El-Hawary R;
{Journal}: Eur Spine J
{Volume}: 33
{Issue}: 7
{Year}: 2024 Jul 16
{Factor}: 2.721
{DOI}: 10.1007/s00586-024-08305-7
{Abstract}: <B>OBJECTIVE: </B>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.<BR><B>METHODS: </B>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.<BR><B>RESULTS: </B>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.<BR><B>CONCLUSIONS: </B>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.