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. 2025 Sep 6:2676591251377577.
doi: 10.1177/02676591251377577. Online ahead of print.

Erector spinae plane block facilitating rapid weaning in an anticoagulated V-V ECMO patient with chest trauma

Rohit P Silhi  1 , Chris Langrish  1 , Luigi Camporota  1   2
Affiliations

Erector spinae plane block facilitating rapid weaning in an anticoagulated V-V ECMO patient with chest trauma

Rohit P Silhi et al. Perfusion. .

Abstract

IntroductionWe report the successful use of erector spinae (ESP) plane block in the management of a patient with severe respiratory failure secondary to chest trauma requiring invasive ventilation and Veno-venous extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (V-V ECMO).Case reportA 64-year-old man with flail chest and severe respiratory failure required V-V ECMO. An ESP plane block on day 3 enabled extubation, mobilisation, and secretion clearance, leading to ECMO weaning after six days and discharge 18 days post-injury.DiscussionThis case demonstrating that regional anaesthesia is a safe, feasible option for improving ventilatory mechanics after chest trauma. It can facilitate awake ECMO, enhanced physiotherapy and liberation from respiratory support. Keywords: erector spinae plane block/ESP block, V-V ECMO, chest trauma, regional anaesthesia, severe respiratory failure.

Keywords: ECMO; ESP block; chest trauma; erector spinae plane block; extra corporeal membrane oxygenation; regional anaesthesia; severe respiratory failure; v-v ECMO.

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