Silicone Y-stent insertion under extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) in a patient with tracheal tear

Abstract

Tracheal tear after endotracheal intubation is extremely rare. The role of silicone Y-stent in the management of tracheal injury has been documented in the previous studies. However, none of the studies have mentioned the deployment of silicone Y-stent via rigid bronchoscope with the patient solely supported by extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) without general anaesthesia delivered via the side port of the rigid bronchoscope. We report a patient who had a tracheal tear due to endotracheal tube migration following a routine video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery sympathectomy, which was successfully managed with silicone Y-stent insertion. Procedure was done while she was undergoing ECMO; hence, no ventilator connection to the side port of the rigid scope was required. This was our first experience in performing Y-stent insertion fully under ECMO, and the patient had a successful recovery.