A&A practice
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High-flow nasal oxygen (HFNO) is a potentially life-saving adjunct in the emergency management of the obstructed airway. HFNO has multiple beneficial applications in critical care and respiratory support, but its use in emergency-obstructed airway management has not been defined. ⋯ Oxygenation, carbon dioxide levels, and airway patency were maintained, which facilitated endotracheal intubation while the patient was spontaneously breathing during general anesthesia. The application of HFNO can be extended to emergency airway obstruction.
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We report 3 cases of thoracic surgery that required 1-lung ventilation where venovenous extracorporeal membrane oxygenation was prophylactically used because severe hypoxemia and ventilatory failure were anticipated intraoperatively. The surgery was successfully completed in all 3 cases. However, we had to withdraw the extracorporeal membrane oxygenation support in 1 case because of uncontrollable hemorrhage. Venovenous extracorporeal membrane oxygenation is a feasible option when severe hypoxemia and/or ventilatory failure is anticipated during 1-lung ventilation.