Application of extracorporeal membrane oxygenation in giant bullae resection

A patient with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and lung bullae was admitted to our hospital. He suffered respiratory failure and was given mechanical ventilation. However, the bullae became more and more large and compressed the lungs on both sides. We managed extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) to maintain the patient's blood oxygenation, and performed bullae resection surgery successfully. The patient's pulmonary function recovered gradually after the operation and he returned home. In our experience with this case, ECMO can be used in bullae resection.