Foreign body aspiration with iatrogenic right bronchus perforation - A case report and literature review.

INTRODUCTION AND IMPORTANCE: Evacuation of obstructed trachea foreign body (FB) can be challenging and may have several life-threatening complications. Iatrogenic tracheobronchial injury (TBI) is a rare and devastating complication which need prompt diagnosis and management. CASE PRESENTATION: An 11-year-old child was brought to the emergency with a history of cough and chest discomfort for the last 15 days. Chest x-ray and computed tomography (CT) chest were done which showed the presence of a FB in the right main bronchus. After all pre-operative investigations, rigid bronchoscopy and removal of the foreign body under general anesthesia was performed. After several attempts, the foreign body couldn't be removed and there was massive surgical emphysema of the chest. Immediately bilateral chest tube was inserted. A repeat CT chest was done which revealed a ruptured of the right main bronchus with migration of the foreign body to the right pleural cavity. Right thoracotomy was performed under general anesthesia. The foreign body was removed and the bronchus ruptured was repaired. The child's vital signs were normal throughout the procedure and she was discharged on the seventh post-operative day. CLINICAL DISCUSSION: TBI can have devastating scenarios in the absence of quick diagnosis and treatment. Around 80 % of patients with TBI due to accidents have been found to have fatal outcomes before reaching the hospital, probably due to tension pneumothorax, hypoxia, or respiratory failure. CONCLUSION: Prompt diagnosis and management of complications with definitive repair of the injury were key elements in saving lives after TBI.

A rare cause of air-leak syndrome in a premature newborn: a case report.

BACKGROUND: Pulmonary complications, such as airway leak syndrome, are common in preterm neonates; however, bronchial rupture is a rarely seen phenomenon. CASE PRESENTATION: In this case, we present a preterm newborn who developed pneumomediastinum and pneumothorax. The pneumothorax persisted, despite placement of a thorax tube, requiring a thoracotomy to detect and treat the bronchial rupture. CONCLUSION: Physicians should have a high suspicion of bronchial rupture in patients with persistent air leak syndrome, even after thorax tube placement and continuous negative pressure implementation.

Characteristics and Outcomes of Surgical Treatment for Bronchial Anomalies.

OBJECTIVES: Bronchial anomalies are rare but challenging conditions to treat in children, encompassing a variety of structural abnormalities that could compromise airway patency. This includes complete rings, absent cartilage, traumatic avulsions, bronchoesophageal fistulas, and cartilaginous sleeves. The objective of this study is to describe the characteristics and outcomes of a series of pediatric cases of bronchial anomalies that were treated by slide tracheobronchoplasty. METHODS: This is a single-institution retrospective case series of pediatric patients with bronchial anomalies who underwent surgical treatment between February 2004 and April 2020. Data extracted from electronic medical records included patient demographics, comorbidities, and surgical outcomes. RESULTS: There were a total of 29 patients included in the study, of which 14 had complete bronchial rings, 8 had absent bronchial rings, 4 had traumatic bronchial avulsions, 2 had bronchoesophageal fistulas, and one had a cartilaginous sleeve. Median follow-up time was 13 months (with a range of 0.5-213 months). The overall mortality rate was 17.2% (5 patients), all of whom had complete bronchial rings. Patients with complete bronchial rings also had a higher rate of not only cardiac (85.7%) and pulmonary comorbidities (85.7%) but also secondary airway lesions (78.6%). CONCLUSION: This is the largest series to date describing surgical treatment for bronchial anomalies. Complete bronchial rings were the most common anomaly treated, followed by absent rings and trauma. Surgical treatment can be successful but mortality rates are higher in patients with complete bronchial rings, possibly due to higher rates of pulmonary and cardiac comorbidities. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: 4 Laryngoscope, 133:3334-3340, 2023.

Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO)-assisted surgery for traumatic bronchial rupture: a report of three cases.

Background: Traumatic tracheal rupture is a severe closed chest injury that often causes major respiratory and circulatory disturbances requiring emergency surgery. We have found that veno-venous extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (VV-ECMO) employs lung-protective ventilation strategies to facilitate lung rest, aiming to minimize the risk of ventilator-induced lung injury, while ensuring adequate oxygenation. Case Description: We presented 3 critically ill patients who presented with traumatic bronchial rupture between 2019 and 2021, and underwent emergency thoracic surgery with the help of VV-ECMO. The ECMO support time, the operative time, the duration of postoperative hospital stay, and the postoperative mechanical ventilation time were collected in this study. All patients were successfully treated and discharged home. The duration of surgery ranged from 135 to 180 min, the duration of ECMO use ranged from 98 to 123 h, the duration of postoperative ventilator use ranged from 5 to 8 days, and the duration of postoperative hospital stay ranged from 14 to 30 days. All 3 patients had good postoperative pulmonary re-expansion, with no residual tracheal or bronchial stenosis, and good physical activity following the surgery. Conclusions: We reported successful use of VV-ECMO in critically ill patients with traumatic bronchial rupture presenting in acute respiratory and circulatory failure. Performing emergency surgery with ECMO-assisted support can provide more time to stabilize the patient and ensure the safety of the procedure. However, considering the small sample size of this study, larger cohorts with long-term follow-up data are needed to further evaluate its application.

ECMO for paediatric cardiac arrest caused by bronchial rupture and severe lung injury: a case report about life-threatening rescue at an adult ECMO centre.

BACKGROUND: Bronchial rupture in children is a rare but dangerous complication after chest trauma and is associated with increased mortality. Veno-venous (V-V) extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) is reported as one of the treatments for this life-threatening complication. CASE PRESENTATION: A 4-year-old boy with bronchial rupture and traumatic wet lung complicated by cardiac arrest after chest trauma was admitted to an adult ECMO centre. He experienced two cardiac arrests, one before and one during the operation. The total duration of cardiac arrest was 30 min. V-V ECMO was initiated because of severe hypoxia and hypercapnia during the operation. ECMO was performed for 6 days, and mechanical ventilation lasted 11 days. On the 31st day after surgery, he had recovered completely and was discharged without neurological deficit. CONCLUSION: V-V ECMO can be considered for supportive care in children with severe acute respiratory failure after bronchial rupture. In an emergency, V-V ECMO can be carried out effectively in a qualified and experienced adult ECMO centre. However, the application of ECMO in children is different from that in adults and requires more refined management.

Use of a modified tracheal tube in a child with traumatic bronchial rupture: A case report and review of literature.

BACKGROUND: Trauma is one of the leading causes of death in the pediatric population. Bronchial rupture is rare, but there are potentially severe complications. Establishing and maintaining a patent airway is the key issue in patients with bronchial rupture. Here we describe an innovative method for maintaining a patent airway. CASE SUMMARY: A 3-year-old boy fell from the seventh floor. Oxygenation worsened rapidly with pulse oxygen saturation decreasing below 60%, as his heart rate dropped. Persistent pneumothorax was observed with insertion of the chest tube. Fiberoptic bronchoscopy was performed, which confirmed the diagnosis of bronchial rupture. A modified tracheal tube was inserted under the guidance of a fiberoptic bronchoscope. Pulse oxygen saturation improved from 60% to 90%. Twelve days after admission, right upper lobectomy was performed using bronchial stump suture by video-assisted thoracic surgery without complications. A follow-up chest radiograph showed good recovery. The child was discharged from hospital three months after admission. CONCLUSION: A modified tracheal tube could be selected to ensure a patent airway and adequate ventilation in patients with bronchial rupture.

Bronchial rupture following endobronchial blocker placement: a case report of a rare, unfortunate complication.

BACKGROUND: Lung separation may be achieved through the use of double lumen tubes or endobronchial blockers. The use of lung separation techniques carries the risk of airway injuries which range from minor complications like postoperative hoarseness and sore throat to rare and potentially devastating tracheobronchial mucosal injuries like bronchus perforation or rupture. With few case reports to date, bronchial rupture with the use of endobronchial blockers is indeed an overlooked complication. CASE PRESENTATION: A 78-year-old male patient with a left upper lobe lung adenocarcinoma underwent a left upper lobectomy with a Fuji Uniblocker® as the lung separation device. Despite an atraumatic insertion and endobronchial blocker balloon volume within manufacturer specifications, an intraoperative air leak developed, and the patient was found to have sustained a left mainstem bronchus rupture which was successfully repaired and the patient extubated uneventfully. Unfortunately, the patient passed on in-hospital from sepsis and other complications. CONCLUSION: Bronchial rupture is a serious complication of endobronchial blocker use that can carry significant morbidity, and due care should be exercised in its use and placement. Bronchoscopy should be used during insertion, and the volume and pressure of the balloon kept to the minimum required to prevent air leak. Bronchial injury should be considered as a differential in the presence of an unexplained air leak.

Complex bronchial ruptures in blunt thoracic trauma: management and outcome.

Complex bronchial ruptures are rare. Primary surgical repair is the preferred procedure. The aim of this retrospective case series was to study the clinical presentation of these complex bronchial injuries and their management and outcomes. Patients with injuries to the trachea or those who had simple single bronchial rupture and isolated lobar and segmental injuries were excluded. Twenty-one patients were operated for bronchial rupture due to blunt chest trauma. Seven patients had complex bronchial injuries and had right bronchial tree injury (n = 3), left bronchial tree injury (n = 3), and rupture of both right and left main bronchi (n = 1). Fibreoptic bronchoscopy established the diagnosis in all patients. Postoperative complications included atelectasis in four patients (57%) and left recurrent laryngeal nerve paralysis (n = 1; 14.3%), and one patient required tracheostomy (14.3%). All patients had follow-up bronchoscopy 2 months later, which showed no stenosis or scar formation in any of the patients. We concluded that primary repair of complex bronchial injuries, with preservation of the normal functioning lung, is the preferred option as it carries favorable immediate- and long-term results.

Rupture of contralateral mainstem bronchus during uniportal video-assisted thoracoscopy surgery lobectomy and 3 successful cases of repair.

BACKGROUND: Our goal was to discuss the treatment for rupture of contralateral mainstem bronchus during uniportal video-assisted thoracoscopy surgery (uniportal VATS) lobectomy. CASE PRESENTATION: We analyzed clinical data of 3 cases of rupture of contralateral mainstem bronchus during uniportal VATS. Surgical repair was performed immediately under an uniportal VATS during operation, as a result, 3 cases of bronchial rupture all were repaired successfully, and we continued to complete lobectomy and systemic lymph node dissection. Reexamination was performed after 1 week, and no fistula was found in trachea and bronchi through a fiberoptic bronchoscopy. The time range for indwelling the chest tube is 6-9 days, and the hospital stay is 8-10 days. No abnormality was observed on chest radiography when the 3 patients returned to the hospital 1 month after the operation for the second reexamination. CONCLUSIONS: Instant surgical repair is recommended to the treatment of bronchial rupture in thoracic surgery. It is safe and feasible to repair bronchial tear with uniportal VATS.

Experience of diagnosis and treatment of traumatic bronchial rupture in children in a single clinical center.

PURPOSE: To examine the diagnosis and treatment of traumatic bronchial rupture in children at the Children's Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China. METHODS: The diagnosis and treatment of eight cases of traumatic bronchial rupture were analyzed retrospectively from January 2014 to December 2019 in our hospital. RESULTS: Diagnosis of the eight patients was clear after a chest CT with three-dimensional reconstruction techniques and fiberoptic bronchoscopy; six of the patients had a delay in diagnosis of at least 2 weeks. Among the patients, six had left bronchus rupture, and the other two had right bronchus rupture. All eight patients received surgery; seven patients received a bronchial end-to-end valgus anastomosis, and one received right middle lobe lobectomy. There were no deaths in this group, and all patients were cured and discharged. Follow-up was conducted for 3 months to 2 years; the patients who received surgery showed mild bronchostenosis within 2 weeks after the trauma, and the other six patients showed moderate bronchostenosis upon CT examination. CONCLUSION: Being alert to bronchial rupture after trauma in children is helpful for diagnosis. Chest CT with three-dimensional reconstruction techniques and fiberoptic bronchoscopy are the most valuable diagnostic methods. The patients can show excellent results if the operation for a continuous valgus anastomosis of the posterior wall and interrupted end-to-end valgus anastomosis of the anterior wall on the ruptured side is performed in the early stage of traumatic bronchial rupture.

Anaesthetic management of intraoperative tracheo-bronchial injury.

Intraoperative tracheobronchial injury (TBI) may manifest clinically as pneumothorax, pneumomediastinum, subcutaneous emphysema, cyanosis, and respiratory insufficiency and has serious implications if it remains undetected or is managed improperly. The outcome of such injuries is affected by the extent of the lesion, pulmonary status & the surgical reconstruction undertaken. The recommended airway management of an intraoperative tracheal tear is to bypass the injured side by intubating the healthy bronchus with a single lumen endotracheal tube (ETT) and the use of a bronchial blocker or double lumen endotracheal tube (DLT) and becomes a very challenging situation. We report successful anaesthetic management of an accidental traumatic rupture of the left main bronchus during surgical dissection in an elderly lady of Carcinoma Oesophagus who underwent a Video Assisted Thoracoscopic surgery (VATS), and was managed by one lung ventilation of the contralateral (right) side manipulating the same DLT and lung protective ventilation.

Successful phased approach to a patient with synchronous traumatic descending aortic pseudoaneurysm and bronchial rupture.

A 34-year-old woman was referred to our center because of collapsed left lung and left main bronchial stenosis 1 week after a vehicular accident. Bronchoscopic observation revealed stenosis in the left main and lobar bronchus. Computed tomography (CT) angiography found traumatic descending aortic pseudoaneurysm after admission. Phased intervention strategy was adopted. The aortic rupture was repaired with endovascular stent firstly, followed by sleeve reconstruction of the left main bronchus through posterolateral thoracotomy 11 days later. She recovered uneventfully and resulted in an excellent long-term outcome. The diagnosis and treatment of this case is discussed.

Venovenous extracorporeal membrane oxygenation for the management of contralateral iatrogenic bronchus perforation during lower bilobectomy.

Tracheobronchial rupture by a double-lumen endobronchial tube is a rare but life-threatening complication. We report a case of bronchial rupture during contralateral bilobectomy. Venovenous extracorporeal membrane oxygenation support was instituted via the right femoral vein and the internal jugular vein with the patient in the left lateral decubitus position. Sleeve resection of the ruptured bronchus was performed. The patient was successfully discharged home. Rapid institution of venovenous extracorporeal membrane oxygenation is helpful to manage this intraoperative complication.

Less is more: lung-sparing direct repair of a traumatic rupture of the bronchus intermedius.

Major trauma is one of the most common causes of death in the western world in the young population (15-25 years). Thoracic trauma represents 25% of traumatic deaths, and the incidence of tracheobronchial injuries in literature is lower than 5%. Nevertheless, airway injuries are life-threatening conditions. Here we present a case of a 25-year-old patient who underwent a severe motorcycle crash. The injury severity score (ISS) was 35 at admission to the hospital. A right middle bronchus laceration <2 cm involving the whole thickness of the wall of the bronchus intermedius was identified. An urgent right posterolateral thoracotomy was performed, and the lesion was directly repaired. A conservative intervention was the key to grant our patient a healthy life.

Traumatic Thoracic Burst Fracture Associated with Bronchial Rupture.

BACKGROUND: Rupture of, or injury to, the tracheobronchial tree is a rare occurrence in blunt chest trauma. CASE REPORT: We present a case of bronchial rupture caused by fragmented bone from a spinal burst fracture after blunt chest trauma. WHY SHOULD AN EMERGENCY PHYSICIAN BE AWARE OF THIS?: Although tracheobronchial injury is infrequent, clinicians should be aware of this possible complication after blunt chest trauma. Bronchoscopy can help in the diagnosis.

Traumatic tension pneumopericardium and amputation of the left main bronchus.

A 27-year-old woman sustained a blunt chest trauma after a car accident. Computed tomography revealed tension pneumopericardium, bilateral pneumothorax, and a suspected rupture of the left main bronchus. Emergent pericardial needle aspiration was successfully performed. Bronchial amputation was confirmed by bronchofiberoscopy. Despite total detachment of the distal part of the bronchial tree, the ventilation of the left lung was maintained without air leakage by use of pleural drains. Bronchial obturation resulted from the injury, and was effectively treated by bronchoscopic sputum suction at the distal end of the bronchus. Finally, the patient underwent a left thoracotomy with an end-to-end bronchial anastomosis. The patient was discharged home on the 32nd day after the trauma, and no complications were recorded during a 3-month follow-up period.

Management of right main bronchial rupture with a double lumen endotracheal tube in a patient with blunt chest trauma.

Tracheobronchial disruption is one of the most severe injuries caused by blunt chest trauma. It may cause airway obstruction and resulting life-threatening respiratory deficiency. However, the clinical presentations are variable and frequently difficult to diagnose. We report a case of a previously healthy 16-year-old man with complete right main bronchial transection sustained after a vehicular accident, who had progressive dyspnea, subcutaneous emphysema in the neck and anterior chest wall, and bilateral tension pneumothorax. Prompt chest tube drainage for suspected bilateral tension pneumothorax and a tracheal intubation were performed. Shortly after the positive pressure ventilation, severe subcutaneous emphysema developed and he was at risk for developing shock. Additional chest tubes were inserted. An emergency bronchoscopy showed rupture of the right main bronchus. After changing to a double lumen endotracheal tube, the patient's condition improved. A surgical closure was performed and postoperative bronchoscopy showed good repair. The patient was discharged without complications.

Management of right main bronchial rupture with a double lumen endotracheal tube in a patient with blunt chest trauma

Tracheobronchial disruption is one of the most severe injuries caused by blunt chest trauma. It may cause airway obstruction and resulting life-threatening respiratory deficiency. However, the clinical presentations are variable and frequently difficult to diagnose. We report a case of a previously healthy 16-year-old man with complete right main bronchial transection sustained after a vehicular accident, who had progressive dyspnea, subcutaneous emphysema in the neck and anterior chest wall, and bilateral tension pneumothorax. Prompt chest tube drainage for suspected bilateral tension pneumothorax and a tracheal intubation were performed. Shortly after the positive pressure ventilation, severe subcutaneous emphysema developed and he was at risk for developing shock. Additional chest tubes were inserted. An emergency bronchoscopy showed rupture of the right main bronchus. After changing to a double lumen endotracheal tube, the patient’s condition improved. A surgical closure was performed and postoperative bronchoscopy showed good repair. The patient was discharged without complications.

[Rupture of left main bronchus due to a left double-lumen tube in patient with a history of radiotherapy]. / Rotura de bronquio principal izquierdo por tubo de doble luz en paciente con antecedentes de radioterapia.

Airway injury caused by double-lumen tubes is a rare but potentially serious complication. We describe the case of a patient who had a bronchial rupture during one-lung ventilation with left double-lumen tube, complicated with a secondary cardiac arrest. She had a full recovery without sequelae. Underlying causes of the patient were a history of radiotherapy, and a possible overinflation of bronchial cuff, that it could contribute to the development of this complication. The possible airway injury should be considered by all practitioners who employ double-lumen tubes for the care of their patients.

Anesthetic management of bronchial rupture following extraction of a fishbone from the bronchus after 5 months.

Bronchial rupture occurred during bronchoscopic visualization and extraction of a fishbone from the bronchus in a 2-year-old male patient with a 5-month history of foreign body aspiration. Emergency thoracotomy was scheduled for examination and surgical repair of the bronchus. The pressure of the airway and circuit fell sharply and ventilation could not be maintained after muscle relaxants were injected and spontaneous respiration ceased. Oxygenation worsened rapidly with the peripheral oxygen saturation level decreasing below 60%. An endotracheal tube was inserted into one of the main bronchi. Peripheral oxygen saturation improved from 60% to 90%, and subsequent surgery was performed without complications.