Combined acupuncture and auriculotherapy in the extubation of acute respiratory failure in bronchial asthma : a case report

Acute respiratory failure developed in a 44-year-old woman suffering from bronchial asthma and caused mechanical ventilation dependency. Several extubation trials failed when the patient reacted with severe bronchospasm. Acupuncture therapy was suggested in order to avoid tracheostomy. Pre-extubation acupuncture treatment allowed a successful removal and resumption of spontaneous breathing. Obviously, the surgical intervention was rejected