Novel Airway and Ventilator Management of Tracheobronchial Disruption After Blunt Trauma

Ann Thorac Surg. 2017 Nov;104(5):e359-e361. doi: 10.1016/j.athoracsur.2017.06.032.

Abstract

Tracheobronchial injuries can be difficult to diagnose and manage, especially in the presence of polytrauma. A 50-year-old woman presented as a Level I trauma activation after being struck by a motor vehicle. Initial evaluation demonstrated intracranial hemorrhage and multiple chest injuries, including multilevel bilateral rib fractures, pneumomediastinum, and concern for tracheobronchial injury. After initial stabilization, bronchoscopy was performed and demonstrated an injury to the carina. We report a novel airway and ventilation strategy in the setting of concomitant tracheobronchial injury after severe blunt chest trauma in which extracorporeal support is contraindicated.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Accidents, Traffic
  • Bronchi / injuries*
  • Bronchoscopy / methods
  • Combined Modality Therapy
  • Female
  • Follow-Up Studies
  • Humans
  • Injury Severity Score
  • Middle Aged
  • Multiple Trauma / diagnosis
  • Multiple Trauma / surgery
  • Positive-Pressure Respiration / methods
  • Radiography, Thoracic / methods
  • Risk Assessment
  • Thoracic Injuries / diagnosis*
  • Thoracic Injuries / etiology
  • Thoracic Injuries / therapy*
  • Trachea / injuries*
  • Trauma Centers
  • Treatment Outcome
  • Wounds, Nonpenetrating / complications*