%0 Journal Article
%@ 0267-6591 (Druck-Ausg.); 1477-111X (Online-Ausg.)
%A Buschulte, Katharina
%A Kahn, Nicolas
%A Schmidt, Werner
%A Reinhardt, Lars
%C London [u.a.]
%D 2024
%F heidok:35614
%I Sage Publications
%J Perfusion
%N 6
%P 1256-1258
%R 10.11588/heidok.00035614
%T Severe tracheal tear – an alternative extracorporeal membrane oxygenation indication
%U https://archiv.ub.uni-heidelberg.de/volltextserver/35614/
%V 39
%X Introduction   Conservative management is usually preferred for iatrogenic tracheal injuries. Venovenous extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (V-V ECMO) is mostly used in acute refractory hypoxemia, airway lesions are an alternative indication.  Case Report   A 51-year-old female was transferred with a large tracheal tear after plastic tracheotomy. Due to a critical ventilation situation with hypercapnia, conservative management was set and V-V ECMO was installed. With optimized tube positioning, minimal ventilation and gas transfer via V-V ECMO, a complete healing of the injury could be achieved.  Discussion   Fast diagnosis of tracheal injuries is essential; transfer to a specialized centre should be considered. In our case, organ support via ECMO was necessary due to a difficult ventilation situation with persisting hypercapnia. Thus, reduction in ventilation pressures with reduction of possible leakage and healing of the tracheal tear could be achieved.  Conclusion   Management of tracheal tears is complex; in severe cases special therapy concepts such as the use of V-V ECMO may become necessary.
%Z Dieser Beitrag ist aufgrund einer (DFG-geförderten) Allianz bzw. Nationallizenz frei zugänglich. *** This publication is freely accessible due to an Alliance licence and a national licence (funded by the DFG, German Research Foundation) respectively.