Anaesthetic management of tracheobronchial rupture following blunt chest trauma.
Injuries to the tracheobronchial tree are a well-recognized sequel of massive blunt trauma to the chest, and although unusual, are life threatening. We report a 16-year-old-boy who developed complete disruption of both bronchi after a motor vehicle accident. After induction of general anaesthesia and oral intubation, ventilation could not be maintained, and oxygenation worsened abruptly with peripheral oxygen saturation values less than 60%. Jet ventilation through two intrabronchial catheters, inserted via emergency thoracotomy, raised the saturation from 60% to 100%, and surgery thereafter was straightforward. The anaesthetic management of tracheobronchial repair is discussed.
Naghibi
K
K
Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran.
Hashemi
S L
SL
Sajedi
P
P
D000063:Accidents, Traffic; D000293:Adolescent; D000768:Anesthesia, General; D001980:Bronchi / Q000293:injuries*; D002404:Catheterization; D006611:High-Frequency Jet Ventilation; D006801:Humans; D007442:Intubation, Intratracheal; D008297:Male; D012121:Respiration, Artificial; D012421:Rupture / Q000209:etiology; D013898:Thoracic Injuries / Q000601:surgery*; D013908:Thoracotomy; D014132:Trachea / Q000293:injuries*; D014949:Wounds, Nonpenetrating / Q000601:surgery*