COMBINED DIFFERENTIAL LUNG VENTILATION AND INHALED NITRIC-OXIDE THERAPY IN THE MANAGEMENT OF UNILATERAL PULMONARY CONTUSION

Unilateral pulmonary contusion after blunt thoracic trauma can prove t o be a devastating injury. Regional disturbances in blood flow and alv eolar ventilation can significantly alter pulmonary function, We prese nt a case report of unilateral pulmonary contusion that resulted in si gnificant pulmonary dysfunction, This patient was successfully managed with multimodality therapy consisting of differential lung ventilatio n and inhaled nitric oxide, The effect of nitric oxide applied to the ''normal'' lung, the ''injured'' lung, and both lungs is described, Th e use of inhaled nitric oxide was associated with an increase in oxyge nation when applied to the normal or both lungs, The use of nitric oxi de in conjunction with differential lung ventilation appeared to offer benefit in this patient with severe unilateral pulmonary contusion.