Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) is a life support technique for maintaining both the cardiac and respiratory functions.  We herein describe the use of ECMO for the anesthetic management of an elderly patient with severe airway stenosis caused by thyroid carcinoma invasion, which underwent total thyroidectomy with the resection of four tracheal rings and end-to-end anastomosis under a median sternotomy.  Although the risks and benefits should be carefully weighed before a decision to use ECMO is made, the use of ECMO in the management of general anesthesia may be a rational and effective strategy for maintaining oxygenation.
ECMO
Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) is a life support technique for maintaining both the cardiac and respiratory functions.  We herein describe the use of ECMO for the anesthetic management of an elderly patient with severe airway stenosis caused by thyroid carcinoma invasion, which underwent total thyroidectomy with the resection of four tracheal rings and end-to-end anastomosis under a median sternotomy.  Although the risks and benefits should be carefully weighed before a decision to use ECMO is made, the use of ECMO in the management of general anesthesia may be a rational and effective strategy for maintaining oxygenation.
ECMO
Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) is a life support technique for maintaining both the cardiac and respiratory functions.  We herein describe the use of ECMO for the anesthetic management of an elderly patient with severe airway stenosis caused by thyroid carcinoma invasion, which underwent total thyroidectomy with the resection of four tracheal rings and end-to-end anastomosis under a median sternotomy.  Although the risks and benefits should be carefully weighed before a decision to use ECMO is made, the use of ECMO in the management of general anesthesia may be a rational and effective strategy for maintaining oxygenation.
ECMO