Tracheal injury during extraction of an esophageal foreign body: Repair utilizing venovenous ECMO

Abstract

Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) is a form of life support with an ever-expanding range of indications. Veno-venous (VV) ECMO is often utilized to support children with respiratory compromise, and has been employed successfully in the acute setting of traumatic tracheobronchial injury as well as during elective tracheal surgery. We present a successful case of VV ECMO used in the perioperative management of a tracheal repair for a traumatic laceration caused by attempts to retrieve an esophageal foreign body. While this mechanism of injury appears to be rare, we believe that VV-ECMO allowed for the optimal management of this child and should be considered for other extensive tracheal injuries in children.

Keywords

• ECMO
• Tracheal injury
• Airway foreign body