A Case of Inhalation Burn-Induced Extensive Tracheal Inflammatory Crust Removed by Ventilating Bronchoscopy under Tracheostomy and Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation / 대한이비인후과학회지

ABSTRACT

Foreign body impaction in airway is life-threatening as it can cause total airway obstruction. Such foreign bodies are removed under bronchoscopy in most patients. In some patients, however, the cardiopulmonary condition becomes unstable to undergo ventilating bronchoscopy under general anesthesia to remove the foreign body. In these conditions, extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) can be adopted for cardiopulmonary support to stabilize the patient while removing the foreign body. ECMO supports tissue oxygenation and has been shown to improve survival of patients with adult respiratory distress syndrome. ECMO allows lungs to reserve their functions and decreases further lung injuries. The authors report one case of extensive tracheal inflammatory crust removed by ventilating bronchoscopy under tracheostomy and ECMO.