Ventilation by the Open Lung Concept in spite of traumatic lung herniation.

Abstract

Traumatic herniation of the lung is uncommon. We report a patient suffering from multiple injuries including severe pulmonary contusion and traumatic parasternal lung herniation, who developed acute respiratory distress syndrome. In spite of the lung herniation, we used mechanical ventilation according to the Open Lung Concept. Oxygenation improved rapidly, and early operative stabilization was possible.