Airway Management in a Patient with Klippel-Feil Syndrome Using Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenator

Beckerman Z*, Cohen O, Adle

Abstract

We present a case of very difficult airway management resulting from a rare syndrome (Klippel-Feil) and rheumatic heart disease requiring a double valve replacement. The difficult airway consisted of a combination of difficult intubation, very difficult ventilation, and an almost impossible surgical airway. The only solution we found for such a complicated setup was the usage of Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenator (ECMO) as a tool to allow the surgical construction of a safe airway. ECMO proved itself as a safe and efficient tool for securing the patient's hemodynamic and respiratory status. It should be remembered in such complicated clinical situations.