[Pneumothorax and pulmonary intersticial emphysema: treatment with selective bronchial occlusion and high frequency...

OBJECTIVE: Our purpose was to report the use of selective bronchial occlusion with a balloon catheter, associated with high frequency ventilation for a successful treatment of a persistent left hypertensive pneumothorax associated with left bronchopleural fistula and severe bilateral pulmonary intersticial emphysema.METHODS: A newborn infant of 20 hours of age was referred to our ICU for treatment of severe respiratory distress and hemodynamic failure after spontaneous hypertense left pneumothorax. Despite being submitted to conventional mechanical ventilation, volume resuscitation and vasoactive drugs infusion, the patient worsened. Therefore, he underwent selective occlusion of the main left bronchus, a measure that can be effective to interrupt gas flow to the affected lung in situations like lung injury with air leak. In order to avoid worsening intersticial emphysema and air leak, high frequency ventilation was associated. This method is characterized by very low tidal volume, lower than the rest functional capacity, and is indicated in acute respiratory failure associated with air leak syndrome.RESULTS: Selective left main bronchus occlusion and high frequency ventilation were successfully used to treat the patient who, after that, presented a favorable outcome with full hemodynamic and respiratory recovery.CONCLUSION: Selective left main bronchus occlusion permitted mechanical ventilation of the contralateral side and high frequency ventilation allowed adequate oxygenation and ventilation maintenance with decrease of the risk of lung injury and also allowed recovery from the interstitial emphysema.