Premium
Potential role of high‐frequency ventilation in the treatment of severe congenital pleural effusion
Author(s) -
Kugelman Amir,
Gonen Ron,
Bader David
Publication year - 2000
Publication title -
pediatric pulmonology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.866
H-Index - 106
eISSN - 1099-0496
pISSN - 8755-6863
DOI - 10.1002/(sici)1099-0496(200005)29:5<404::aid-ppul11>3.0.co;2-4
Subject(s) - medicine , hydrops fetalis , chylothorax , pleural effusion , ventilation (architecture) , effusion , high frequency ventilation , mechanical ventilation , respiratory failure , respiratory disease , pleural disease , gestation , surgery , anesthesia , lung , pregnancy , mechanical engineering , genetics , biology , engineering
Newborns with severe congenital pleural effusions often present with respiratory failure at birth. We describe two premature infants born at 31 and 33 weeks of gestation with bilateral pleural effusions. Both were drained prior to delivery under ultrasound guidance. The first infant had severe bilateral congenital chylothorax with pulmonary hypertension; the second infant had severe nonimmune hydrops fetalis. Both could be adequately oxygenated but failed to respond to conventional mechanical ventilation (CMV) and chest tube drainage, so that CO 2 elimination could not be accomplished. Both infants were successfully treated with high‐frequency ventilation (HFV). We suggest that HFV may be of significant value in establishing adequate ventilation in cases of severe congenital pleural effusions. Pediatr Pulmonol. 2000; 29:404–408. © 2000 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.