Skip to main content

I primarily deal with patients on mechanical ventilation. In order to benefit from these small portable devices, the patient must undergo a tracheotomy--an opertation that produces a tracheostomy. Apparently this woman chose not to do so and lived in an iron lung for decades...

http://www.cnn.com/2008/US/05/28/iron.lung.death.ap/ind...tml?iref=mpstoryview
Original Post

Replies sorted oldest to newest

quote:
Originally posted by FirenzeVeritas:
I primarily deal with patients on mechanical ventilation. In order to benefit from these small portable devices, the patient must undergo a tracheotomy--an opertation that produces a tracheostomy. Apparently this woman chose not to do so and lived in an iron lung for decades...

http://www.cnn.com/2008/US/05/28/iron.lung.death.ap/ind...tml?iref=mpstoryview


Wasn't that she choose to live with it.
From the article: "But a spinal deformity from the polio kept Odell from wearing a more modern portable breathing device."
Last edited by RickyC31
I don't know the percentage of trach patients who can't speak, but most of mine do. Deflating the cuff slightly will increase the ability to speak.

If the patient had a trach, she would not have needed the iron lung. Iron lungs use negative pressure to assist breathing. Air is pumped from the lung to create a vacuum. The vacuum allows the lungs to expand and take in air automatically. The iron lung is then refilled with air, causing the lungs to express the used air. As far as I know, most iron lungs were phased out in the 60s and 70s in favor of the "shell" type apparatus, since only the area around the chest needed to be in a vacuum. Apparently, this lady couldn't wear one of those because of her spinal problems.

Trachs use positive ventilation. An external vent pushes the air into the lungs and then pulls it out. (PIP and PEEP) There is always danger of infection, etc., but the ostomy would allow for freedom to move about in a wheelchair, etc.

This is an LTV950, the vent that most of my patients use.

Attachments

Images (1)
  • ltv950
I have friends in Jackson who knew this woman and loved her dearly. I met her once and she was a sweet lady. I was appalled at the machine - it was scary. I cannot imagine living my life in one of those things. Needless to say, her friends and family are devastated.
I agree with Firenza, though, because with modern technology, it just looks like something could have made her life easier.
It is pretty impressive that she lived so long on this anitquated technology, and knowing how prone we are to power outages here in the South, it is a wonder this had not happen sooner. My mom had polio when she was kid, but luckily her problems were not as severe.
I did not realize that there were even any of the iron lungs still in service today. I was amazed when I read the article.

Add Reply

Post

Untitled Document
×
×
×
×
Link copied to your clipboard.
×