Traumatic Bilateral Bronchial Injury Requiring Pneumonectomy

Area of Science:

• Trauma Surgery
• Cardiothoracic Surgery
• Emergency Medicine

Background:

• High-energy blunt thoracic trauma presents significant morbidity and mortality risks.
• Pneumonectomy in trauma patients further escalates mortality rates.
• Bilateral bronchial injuries are rare but critical complications of thoracic trauma.

Observation:

• A patient involved in a motor vehicle crash (MVC) sustained severe blunt thoracic trauma with bilateral bronchial injuries.
• Emergent thoracotomy, pneumonectomy, and bronchial stenting were performed.
• Venovenous extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (VV ECMO) was initiated to support the patient.

Findings:

• The patient survived the complex surgical interventions and VV ECMO support.
• Successful recovery was achieved despite the severity of the injuries.
• The case demonstrates the feasibility of advanced life support in managing catastrophic thoracic trauma.

Implications:

• Pulmonary stenting can be a viable option in managing complex bronchial injuries post-trauma.
• VV ECMO can be crucial for stabilizing patients with severe respiratory compromise from thoracic trauma.
• This case contributes to the literature on managing life-threatening thoracic injuries and underscores the importance of multidisciplinary critical care.