[Functional separation of the lungs. Ventilation strategy for unilateral blunt force thoracic trauma].

Independent lung ventilation was performed in a patient with severe hypoxemia (oxygenation ratio p(a)O₂/F(I)O₂ 61 mmHg) due to unilateral blunt chest trauma and consecutive consolidation of the injured lung. Recruitment and immobilization of the consolidated lung was achieved by functional separation of both lungs with application of a mean airway pressure (p(mean)) of 28 mbar in combination with low frequency ventilation (4/min) of the injured lung. Adequate ventilation was maintained via the normal lung (p(mean) 14 mbar). This ventilation strategy stabilized oxygenation and ventilation by preventing overinflation and ventilator-induced lung injury.