title: Management of extensive lesions of the lower trachea using emergency cardiopulmonary bypass.
abstract: Rapid cardiopulmonary deterioration in patients with extensive lesions of the lower trachea presents a serious challenge in the emergency care. Conventional methods may prove inadequate to achieve airway control and to stablilize the critical condition. Severe airway obstruction and/or massive air leakage are the main causes of failure. An aggressive operative approach is mandatory. Institution of emergency cardiopulmonary bypass for resuscitative purposes and definitive surgical repair of those life-threatening uncommon tracheal lesions seems essential to us. Two cases, managed according to this concept, are presented.
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001980:Bronchi / Q000293:injuries; D002315:Cardiopulmonary Bypass / Q000379:methods*; D004630:Emergencies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008722:Methods; D012421:Rupture; D013898:Thoracic Injuries / Q000150:complications; D014056:Tomography, X-Ray; D014132:Trachea / Q000293:injuries*; D014135:Tracheal Stenosis / Q000601:surgery