# Case Report: Minimally invasive management of suspected active bleeding from intercostal vessel after axillary thoracotomy ventricular septal defect repair: an application of Foley catheter

## TL;DR

A case report describes using a Foley catheter to stop bleeding from an intercostal vessel after heart surgery through an axillary thoracotomy.

## Contribution

Presents a minimally invasive, practical method for managing postoperative intercostal vessel bleeding using a Foley catheter.

## Key findings

- Active bleeding from an intercostal vessel was successfully controlled using a Foley catheter.
- The method is proposed as a viable option for managing similar postoperative complications.
- The approach is minimally invasive and avoids the need for reoperation in selected cases.

## Abstract

The right axillary thoracotomy, an alternative approach for selected open-heart procedures, offers aesthetic advantages. However, intercostal vessel injury is a potential postoperative complication that can lead to major bleeding. Herein, we report a case of postoperative active bleeding from intercostal vessel injury after right axillary thoracotomy for ventricular septal defect repair. Hemorrhage was successfully halted by compressing the suspected bleeding site with a Foley catheter inserted through the chest wall. This case demonstrates a simple management method of active intercostal vascular bleeding after cardiac operation. It may be an appropriate option in selected postoperative patients with a high index of suspicion of intercostal vascular bleeding after operation via a thoracotomy approach.