Utilisation of high-frequency oscillatory ventilation in blunt thoracic trauma

Blunt thoracic trauma patients are at high risk of mortality when conventional mechanical ventilation fails to sustain respiratory function.We provide an overview of high-frequency oscillatory ventilation (HFOV) as a potential rescue therapy for such patients.Although few studies have examined the utilisation of HFOV specifically for blunt thoracic trauma, available evidence indicates that this ventilatory strategy may be beneficial when instituted relative early in the management of patients with severe pulmonary contusion or blunt thoracic trauma with superimposed acute respiratory distress syndrome.