Endobronchial Bleeding Associated With Blunt Chest Trauma Treated by Bronchial Occlusion With a Univent

Bronchial occlusion should be performed soon after trauma in patients with endobronchial bleeding. The Univent has three advantages in such patients: (1) it prevents the inflow of blood from the affected bronchus into the unaffected lung; (2) the tamponade effect of the endobronchial blocker stops bronchial bleeding; and (3) air embolus due to air flowing from the bronchus into the pulmonary veins can be prevented. Use of a tube for one-lung ventilation with which the trauma surgeon is familiar is advisable. The Uniblocker tube (Fuji Systems Corporation) allows occlusion of the affected bronchus without reinsertion of a single-lumen tracheal tube.