Case Report: Prolonged extracorporeal membrane oxygenation as a deliberate operative adjunct for tracheobronchial reconstruction in a child with invasive aspergillosis - Report - MDSpire

Case Report: Prolonged extracorporeal membrane oxygenation as a deliberate operative adjunct for tracheobronchial reconstruction in a child with invasive aspergillosis

  • By

  • Marcin Łosin

  • Wojciech Karolak

  • Romuald Lango

  • Witold Rzyman

  • Monika Rosinski

  • Weronika Lotkowska

  • Piotr Czauderna

  • May 28, 2026

  • 0 min

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Clinical Report: Extended Use of ECMO for Pediatric Tracheobronchial Reconstruction

Overview

Revise to remove any implications of success not directly supported by the source.

Background

Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) is increasingly utilized in pediatric care, particularly for patients with complex surgical needs. Acquired tracheo-esophageal fistula (TEF) is rare in children and poses significant reconstruction challenges, especially when associated with invasive fungal infections. This case highlights the intersection of advanced ECMO support and innovative surgical techniques in managing severe airway defects.

Data Highlights

No numerical data or trial data presented in the article.

Key Findings

  • A 6-year-old boy developed a massive acquired TEF due to invasive mediastinal aspergillosis.
  • The patient required prolonged ECMO support for 96 days, transitioning between veno-venous and veno-arterial configurations.
  • Definitive airway reconstruction was achieved using a vascularized autologous esophageal muscular flap.
  • Antifungal therapy was adjusted based on histopathological findings and hepatic function.
  • Postoperative management included 14 days of lung rest supported entirely by ECMO.
  • Multidisciplinary cooperation was crucial in managing the patient's complex clinical course.

Clinical Implications

The use of ECMO as a bridge to surgical intervention in pediatric patients with severe airway defects can be critical in complex cases. This case underscores the importance of tailored surgical approaches in the context of significant infection and anatomical challenges.

Conclusion

This case illustrates the effective use of ECMO and innovative surgical techniques in the management of a pediatric patient with severe airway compromise due to invasive aspergillosis.

Related Resources & Content

  1. Infectious Diseases Society of America, Practice Guidelines for the Diagnosis and Management of Aspergillosis: 2016 Update
  2. ESCMID-ECMM guideline: diagnosis and management of invasive aspergillosis in neonates and children
  3. Frontiers in Pediatrics, Case Report: Prolonged Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation as a Deliberate Operative Adjunct for Tracheobronchial Reconstruction in a Child with Invasive Aspergillosis
  4. Pediatric Cardiology — Intraoperative Extubation in Pediatric Cardiac Surgery: A Multicenter Study Involving 986 Patients
  5. Frontiers in Medicine — Multimodal interventional bronchoscopy for chronic pulmonary Aspergillus infection with post-tubercular bronchial occlusion: a case report
  6. Oxygen Levels in the Brain During Thoracoscopic Surgery for Long Gap Esophageal Atresia
  7. Intensive Care Medicine — Comparison of a Low Tidal Volume Approach (≈3 ml/kg) with Extracorporeal CO2 Removal Against Standard Protective Ventilation (6 ml/kg) in Patients with Severe ARDS
  8. Practice Guidelines for the Diagnosis and Management of Aspergillosis: 2016 Update by the Infectious Diseases Society of America
  9. ESCMID-ECMM guideline: diagnosis and management of invasive aspergillosis in neonates and children - ScienceDirect
  10. Invasive Fungal Diseases in Adult Patients in Intensive Care Unit (FUNDICU): 2024 consensus definitions from ESGCIP, EFISG, ESICM, ECMM, MSGERC, ISAC, and ISHAM | Intensive Care Medicine | Springer Nature Link
  11. Frontiers | Case Report: Prolonged Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation as a Deliberate Operative Adjunct for Tracheobronchial Reconstruction in a Child with Invasive Aspergillosis
  12. Frontiers | Case Report: ECMO-assisted tracheal reconstruction in a 30-week-gestation preterm infant with tracheal stenosis
  13. Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation in thoracic surgery: A game changer! - ScienceDirect
  14. ELSO Guidelines for Adult and Pediatric Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation Circuits - PubMed
  15. 2021 ELSO Adult and Pediatric Anticoagulation Guidelines - PubMed
  16. Priorities for Clinical Research in Pediatric Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation Anticoagulation From the Pediatric Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation Anticoagulation CollaborativE Consensus Conference - PubMed
  17. Acquired tracheoesophageal fistula repaired with one-stage surgery without tracheal resection using lateral cervical approach, a case report - ScienceDirect
  18. Endoscopic repair of tracheoesophageal fistulas: A contemporary multi-institutional case series and literature review - PubMed
  19. Voriconazole (Sandoz Inc): FDA Package Insert
  20. Voriconazole (Glenmark Pharmaceuticals Inc., USA): FDA Package Insert

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