Venovenous extracorporeal membrane oxygenation supported intervention therapy for metastatic cancer of the central airway
Author(s):
Li-cheng Song, Bo Wang, Kun Xiao, Yu-hong Liu
Background: Endobronchial-invasive lung cancer is rare but often leads to upper airway obstruction and acute respiratory distress. However, difficulties with tracheal intubation resulting from the tumor in the central airways can lead to total tracheal obstruction and massive hemorrhage during surgery, which may necessitate the use of extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) to ensure oxygen supplementation and carbon dioxide removal.
Case Summary: We present the case of a 52-year-old man undergoing veno-venous ECMO who had an obstructive tracheal tumor removed through bronchoscopy.
Conclusion: When conventional methods cannot guarantee the patient’s airway’s patency, such support should be considered