Endoscopic Resection of Tracheal Tumor in an Elderly Woman Under Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation

Abstract

Anesthetic management of patients with difficult airway is challenging, especially in patients who present with near total occlusion of the airway. Tracheal tumors occur more frequently in elderly patients who are more prone to hypoxic injury. Reliable ventilation and oxygenation are mandatory for a safe and sound intervention. Herein, we report on a 71-year-old woman with a large tracheal tumor occluding approximately 90% of the tracheal lumen. Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation under local anesthesia was used during electrocautery resection of the tumor because of the possibility of fatal airway collapse due to the degree of occlusion and location of the tumor. After the tumor had been successfully resected by means of bronchoscopy, an endotracheal tube was inserted, and the patient was weaned from extracorporeal membrane oxygenation.

Keywords

• extracorporeal membrane oxygenation
• tracheal neoplasm