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Anaesthetic management of tracheobronchial rupture following blunt chest trauma
Author(s) -
Naghibi K.,
Hashemi S. L.,
Sajedi P.
Publication year - 2003
Publication title -
acta anaesthesiologica scandinavica
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.738
H-Index - 107
eISSN - 1399-6576
pISSN - 0001-5172
DOI - 10.1034/j.1399-6576.2003.00179.x
Subject(s) - medicine , thoracotomy , anesthesia , intubation , blunt , general anaesthesia , surgery , ventilation (architecture) , mechanical engineering , engineering
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.