A pediatric case of life-threatening asthma managed with sevoflurane, intrapulmonary percussive ventilation and prone positioning

Abstract

We describe a pediatric case of life-threatening asthma refractory to conventional therapies in which sevoflurane enabled adequate mechanical ventilation. However, despite improved peak inspiratory pressures, secretion retention and poor oxygenation remained. The combined use of intrapulmonary percussive ventilation (IPV) and prone positioning (PP) was effective in improving these manifestations. The use of inhalational anesthetics combined with IPV and PP may have life-saving effects in cases of life-threatening asthma.