AUTHOR=Zhang Taining , Wang Jianxiu , Zhou Bingyin , Yan Bin , Chen Xilong , Wang Yanxia , Wang Weikai 

TITLE=Treatment of pneumothorax and bronchopleural fistula by extracorporeal membrane oxygenation in a neonate: a case report

JOURNAL=Frontiers in Pediatrics

VOLUME=Volume 12 - 2024

YEAR=2024

URL=https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/pediatrics/articles/10.3389/fped.2024.1466852

DOI=10.3389/fped.2024.1466852

ISSN=2296-2360

ABSTRACT=Intractable pneumothorax secondary to bronchopulmonary fistula is a rare complication in neonates. We present the first report of a newborn with spontaneous pneumothorax and bronchopleural fistula treated with extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO). Positive pressure mechanical ventilation resulted in persistent air leakage from the bronchopleural fistula. When ECMO was initiated, a “total lung rest” ventilation strategy was used to facilitate the healing of bronchopleural fistula and the absorption of the pneumothorax. ECMO is an effective supportive therapy for neonate pneumothorax and bronchopulmonary fistula when conventional ventilation management fails.