Extrapleural hematoma is a rare consequence of thoracic trauma, which is the result of bleeding between the parietal pleura and the endothoracic fascia and is usually diagnosed within the initial 24-48 hours of the injury. Delayed presentations are rarely seen. An elderly male, who was not on any antiplatelet or anticoagulant medications, presented to the emergency department six days after sustaining a trivial blunt chest trauma with a large right extrapleural hematoma. He was successfully treated with video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery. Geriatric patients must be followed up with serial chest radiographs to monitor the development of these rare complications.
Keywords: blunt chest trauma; chest trauma; extrapleural hematoma; intercostal drainage; video-assisted thoracic surgery (vats).
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