Extra corporal membrane oxygenation in general thoracic surgery: A new single veno-venous cannulation

Abstract

Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) is used in severe respiratory failure to maintain adequate gas exchange. So far, this technique has not been commonly used in general thoracic surgery. We present a case using ECMO for peri-operative airway management for pulmonary resection, using a novel single-site, internal jugular, veno-venous ECMO cannula. © 2011 Souilamas et al; licensee BioMed Central Ltd.