Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation Treatment of Traumatic Lung Injury: 2 Cases

Yang,  Jin Sung; Shin,  Hwakyun; Her,  Keun; Won,  Yong Soon

Case Report

Journal of the Korean Society of Traumatology 2011;24(2):155-158.

Jin Sung Yang, Hwakyun Shin, Keun Her, Yong Soon Won

Department of Thoracic Surgery, Soonchunhyang University School of Medicine, Soonchunhyang University Hospital, Gyeonggi-do, Korea. chest@schmc.ac.kr

외상성 폐손상시 체외막형 산화기 치료 - 2 예 -

양진성∙신화균∙허균∙원용순

순천향대학교 의과대학 부천병원 흉부외과

Received: 3 May 2011 • Revised: 6 May 2011 • Accepted: 22 August 2011

Abstract

Mechanical ventilation is usually the treatment of choice for severe respiratory failure associated with trauma. However, in case of severe hypoxia, mechanical ventilation may not be sufficient for gas exchange in lungs. Patients with Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome (ARDS) undergo difficulties in oxygen and carbon dioxide exchange. Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation (ECMO) is the ideal therapeutic option for those patients with severe traumatic injuries. ECMO allows lungs to reserve their functions and decreases further lung injuries while increasing survival rate at the same time. We report two cases of patients with traumatic ARDS and Multiple Organ Failure including compromised heart function. The preservation of lung function was successful using ECMO therapy.

Key Words: Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation; Trauma; Acute respiratory distress syndrome