Anesthetic Management Using Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenator in Three Cases of Tracheotomy

Abstract

  Tracheotomy was performed safely under the volatile induction and maintenance of anesthesia with extracorporeal membrane oxygenator in three patients with dyspnea due to tracheal infiltration of cervical malignant tumor (thyroid cancer), cervical abscess and acute epiglottitis. Airway obstruction is likely to occur in the induction phase of general anesthesia for tracheotomy in patients with severe tracheostenosis. Careful airway management is a prerequisite to avoid airway obstruction in these patients. We consider airway management under extracorporeal membrane oxygenator to be useful in general anesthesia of patients with severe tracheostenosis.