Perioperative Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation to Facilitate Lung Resection After Contralateral Pneumonectomy

A 75-year-old man previously underwent pneumonectomy for lung cancer. He subsequently had colorectal adenocarcinoma, and resection of metastases from his remaining lung was performed. Venovenous extracorporeal membrane oxygenation was used for perioperative respiratory support to facilitate intraoperative deflation of the remaining lung and optimization of the surgical field. Venovenous extracorporeal membrane oxygenation was continued postoperatively, allowing immediate extubation, thus avoiding strain on suture lines. Advantages, and potential risks, of venovenous extracorporeal membrane oxygenation for thoracic surgery are discussed.