Anaesthetic Management of Tracheobronchial Rupture Following Blunt Chest Trauma Publisher Pubmed



Naghibi K^{2, 3} ; Hashemi SL¹ ; Sajedi P¹
Source: Acta Anaesthesiologica Scandinavica Published:2003

Abstract

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. © Acta Anaesthesiologica Scandinavica.