A 37-year-old male visited the hospital with multiple trauma after traffic accident. Fractures of ribs, left femur, and right humerus and spleen rupture with hemoperitoneum were founded on image studies. He was moved to operation room and general anesthesia was performed for splenectomy. During the operation, excessive high peak inspiratory pressure was observed. After abdominal closure, hypoxia, hypercapnia, and respiratory acidosis were worsened. Veno-venous extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) was initiated after the operation. Status of the patient were improved after the application of ECMO. The patient was discharged without significant complication. Despite of several limitations in applying ECMO to patients with abdominal compartment syndrome (ACS) and multiple trauma, severe pulmonary dysfunction in ACS patients may be rescued without open abdomen treatment.
Abdomen ; Accidents, Traffic ; Acidosis, Respiratory ; Adult ; Anesthesia, General ; Anoxia ; Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation* ; Femur ; Hemoperitoneum ; Humans ; Humerus ; Hypercapnia ; Intra-Abdominal Hypertension ; Male ; Multiple Trauma ; Respiratory Distress Syndrome, Adult ; Ribs ; Rupture ; Spleen ; Splenectomy

BACKGROUND: An Alveolar-pleural fistula is communication between the alveoli and the pleural space that may result in intractable pneumothorax, severe infection, respiratory failure, physical weakness, and even death.CASE: A 70-year-old male underwent right hepatectomy with a cystic mass of the liver. During the operation, peak airway pressure abruptly increased and a serous fluid was regurgitated through the endotracheal tube. Lung isolation was immediately performed with a double-lumen endotracheal tube. Approximately 1,000 ml of exudate was drained through endotracheal tube. Thoracostomy was performed at right lung. Analysis of fluid from endotracheal tube and pleural effusion consistent with parapneumonic effusion.CONCLUSIONS: We presented a case of alveolar-pleural fistula caused by pneumonia presenting with massive exudate fluid regurgitated from the endotracheal tube that was managed with bronchial suction, lung isolation, and thoracostomy and improved without surgical repair of the fistula.
Aged ; Exudates and Transudates ; Fistula ; Hepatectomy ; Humans ; Liver ; Lung ; Male ; One-Lung Ventilation ; Pleural Effusion ; Pneumonia ; Pneumothorax ; Respiratory Insufficiency ; Suction ; Thoracostomy