The use of inhaled nitric oxide and prone position in an ARDS patient with severe traumatic brain injury during spine stabilization.

The use of inhaled nitric oxide in patients with traumatic brain injury, intracranial hypertension, and acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) has been reported in an intensive care unit setting only in a few case reports. The use of the prone position for patients with traumatic brain injury and lung impairment has been reported only in selected cases. Here we report our experience with the use of both inhaled nitric oxide and the prone position together in the operating room in a patient with head injury and ARDS who underwent column stabilization.