title: ECMO-assisted esophagectomy after left pneumonectomy.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Esophagectomy after pneumonectomy has been rarely reported, mainly due to the technical difficulty in performing this surgical approach. Conventional intubation to the contralateral respiratory passage is technically challenging, while the homolateral respiratory tract is absent, making oxygenation impossible.
  
  
  METHODS
  To overcome this problem, we used venoarterial (VA) extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) which can help achieve gas exchange despite the collapsed lung and provide a clear unobstructed surgical field for esophagectomy.
  
  
  RESULTS
  We obtained satisfactory outcomes with VA ECMO in our treated patient.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This technique may be an excellent option for the treatment of complex situations such as esophagectomy after pneumonectomy.
authors: Department of Thoracic Surgery, First Hospital, College of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China.
authors: Hai Chao
authors: HC
authors: Xu
authors: Peng
authors: P
authors: Ye
authors: Fei Chao
authors: FC
authors: Bao
authors: Hui
authors: H
authors: Pan
authors: Yun Hai
authors: YH
authors: Yang
authors: Lu Ming
authors: LM
authors: Wang
authors: Zhi Tian
authors: ZT
authors: Wang
authors: Zhou Bin
authors: ZB
authors: Li
authors: Zhe Hao
authors: ZH
authors: He
authors: Wei Li
authors: WL
authors: Han
authors: Yong Qing
authors: YQ
authors: Wang
authors: Jian
authors: J
authors: Hu
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D004938:Esophageal Neoplasms / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D016629:Esophagectomy / Q000379:methods*; D004945:Esophagoscopy; D015199:Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation; D006801:Humans; D008175:Lung Neoplasms / Q000601:surgery*; D008297:Male; D011013:Pneumonectomy / Q000009:adverse effects; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed; D016896:Treatment Outcome