Curious Case of Pediatric One-Lung Ventilation with Two Endotracheal Tubes: A Case Report.

ABSTRACT: One-lung ventilation is indicated during thoracic surgery for visualization and exposure of surgical site. It is achieved with bronchial blockers, double-lumen endobronchial tube, single-lumen endotracheal tubes and Univent tube for infants and children. Fibreoptic bronchoscope is required for placing and confirming the correct position of these tubes. We report a perioperative management of safe conduct of one lung ventilation for a 6-year child undergoing left lower lobe lobectomy through C-MAC video laryngoscope guided two single lumen tubes in limited resource settings where paediatric-sized fibreoptic bronchoscope is unavailable.

Impact of One-Lung Ventilation on Oxygenation and Ventilation Time in Thoracoscopic Heart Surgery: A Comparative Analysis with Median Thoracotomy.

BACKGROUND One-lung ventilation is the separation of the lungs by mechanical methods to allow ventilation of only one lung, particularly when there is pathology in the other lung. This retrospective study from a single center aimed to compare 49 patients undergoing thoracoscopic cardiac surgery using one-lung ventilation with 48 patients undergoing thoracoscopic cardiac surgery with median thoracotomy. MATERIAL AND METHODS This single-center retrospective study analyzed patients who underwent thoracoscopic cardiac surgery based on one-lung ventilation (experimental group, n=49). Other patients undergoing a median thoracotomy cardiac operation were defined as the comparison group (n=48). The oxygenation index and the mechanical ventilation time were also recorded. RESULTS There was no significant difference in the immediate oxygenation index between the experimental group and comparison group (P>0.05). There was no significant difference for the oxygenation index between men and women in both groups (P>0.05). The cardiopulmonary bypass time significantly affected the oxygenation index (F=7.200, P=0.009). Operation methods (one-lung ventilation thoracoscopy or median thoracotomy) affected postoperative ventilator use time (F=8.337, P=0.005). Cardiopulmonary bypass time (F=16.002, P<0.001) and age (F=4.384, P=0.039) had significant effects on ventilator use time. There was no significant effect of sex (F=0.75, P=0.389) on ventilator use time. CONCLUSIONS Our results indicated that one-lung ventilation thoracoscopic cardiac surgery did not affect the immediate postoperative oxygenation index; however, cardiopulmonary bypass time did significantly affect the immediate postoperative oxygenation index. Also, one-lung ventilation thoracoscopic cardiac surgery had a shorter postoperative mechanical ventilation use time than did traditional median thoracotomy cardiac surgery.

[Effects of Rhodiola rosea injection on intrapulmonary shunt and blood IL-6 and TNF-α levels during single lung ventilation in patients undergoing radical resection of esophageal cancer].

OBJECTIVE: To explore the effects of Rhodiola rosea injection on pulmonary shunt and serum interleukin-6 (IL-6) and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) levels during single lung ventilation in patients undergoing radical resection of esophageal cancer. METHODS: Forty-six patients undergoing radical operation for esophageal cancer were randomized equally into control group and Rhodiola rosea injection group. In the Rhodiola group, 10 mL of Rhodiola rosea injection was added into 250 mL of normal saline or 5% glucose solution for slow intravenous infusion, and normal saline of the same volume was used in the control group after the patients entered the operation room. At T0, T1 and T3, PaO2 of the patient was recorded and 2 mL of deep venous blood was collected for determination of serum TNF-α and IL-6 levels. The incidence of postoperative atelectasis of the patients was recorded. RESULTS: Compared with those in the control group, the patients receiving Rhodiola rosea injection had significantly higher PaO2 and Qs/Qt at T1 and T2 (P<0.05) and lower serum IL-6 and TNF-α levels at T3 (P<0.05). No significant difference in the incidence of postoperative atelectasis was observed between the two groups (P>0.05). CONCLUSION: Rhodiola rosea injection before anesthesia induction can reduce intrapulmonary shunt during single lung ventilation, improve oxygenation, reduce serum IL-6 and TNF-α levels, and alleviate intraoperative lung injury in patients undergoing radical resection of esophageal cancer.

One-lung ventilation with fixed and variable tidal volumes on oxygenation and pulmonary outcomes: A randomized trial.

OBJECTIVE: Test the hypothesis that one-lung ventilation with variable tidal volume improves intraoperative oxygenation and reduces postoperative pulmonary complications after lung resection. BACKGROUND: Constant tidal volume and respiratory rate ventilation can lead to atelectasis. Animal and human ARDS studies indicate that oxygenation improves with variable tidal volumes. Since one-lung ventilation shares characteristics with ARDS, we tested the hypothesis that one-lung ventilation with variable tidal volume improves intraoperative oxygenation and reduces postoperative pulmonary complications after lung resection. DESIGN: Randomized trial. SETTING: Operating rooms and a post-anesthesia care unit. PATIENTS: Adults having elective open or video-assisted thoracoscopic lung resection surgery with general anesthesia were randomly assigned to intraoperative ventilation with fixed (n = 70) or with variable (n = 70) tidal volumes. INTERVENTIONS: Patients assigned to fixed ventilation had a tidal volume of 6 ml/kgPBW, whereas those assigned to variable ventilation had tidal volumes ranging from 6 ml/kg PBW ± 33% which varied randomly at 5-min intervals. MEASUREMENTS: The primary outcome was intraoperative oxygenation; secondary outcomes were postoperative pulmonary complications, mortality within 90 days of surgery, heart rate, and SpO2/FiO2 ratio. RESULTS: Data from 128 patients were analyzed with 65 assigned to fixed-tidal volume ventilation and 63 to variable-tidal volume ventilation. The time-weighted average PaO2 during one-lung ventilation was 176 (86) mmHg in patients ventilated with fixed-tidal volume and 147 (72) mmHg in the patients ventilated with variable-tidal volume, a difference that was statistically significant (p < 0.01) but less than our pre-defined clinically meaningful threshold of 50 mmHg. At least one composite complication occurred in 11 (17%) of patients ventilated with variable-tidal volume and in 17 (26%) of patients assigned to fixed-tidal volume ventilation, with a relative risk of 0.67 (95% CI 0.34-1.31, p = 0.24). Atelectasis in the ventilated lung was less common with variable-tidal volumes (4.7%) than fixed-tidal volumes (20%) in the initial three postoperative days, with a relative risk of 0.24 (95% CI 0.01-0.8, p = 0.02), but there were no significant late postoperative differences. No other secondary outcomes were both statistically significant and clinically meaningful. CONCLUSION: One-lung ventilation with variable tidal volume does not meaningfully improve intraoperative oxygenation, and does not reduce postoperative pulmonary complications.

Comparative effects of variable versus conventional volume-controlled one-lung ventilation on gas exchange and respiratory system mechanics in thoracic surgery patients: A randomized controlled clinical trial.

BACKGROUND: Mechanical ventilation with variable tidal volumes (V-VCV) has the potential to improve lung function during general anesthesia. We tested the hypothesis that V-VCV compared to conventional volume-controlled ventilation (C-VCV) would improve intraoperative arterial oxygenation and respiratory system mechanics in patients undergoing thoracic surgery under one-lung ventilation (OLV). METHODS: Patients were randomized to V-VCV (n = 39) or C-VCV (n = 39). During OLV tidal volume of 5 mL/kg predicted body weight (PBW) was used. Both groups were ventilated with a positive end-expiratory pressure (PEEP) of 5 cm H2O, inspiration to expiration ratio (I:E) of 1:1 (during OLV) and 1:2 during two-lung ventilation, the respiratory rate (RR) titrated to arterial pH, inspiratory peak-pressure ≤ 40 cm H2O and an inspiratory oxygen fraction of 1.0. RESULTS: Seventy-five out of 78 Patients completed the trial and were analyzed (dropouts were excluded). The partial pressure of arterial oxygen (PaO2) 20 min after the start of OLV did not differ among groups (V-VCV: 25.8 ± 14.6 kPa vs C-VCV: 27.2 ± 15.3 kPa; mean difference [95% CI]: 1.3 [-8.2, 5.5], P = 0.700). Furthermore, intraoperative gas exchange, intraoperative adverse events, need for rescue maneuvers due to desaturation and hypercapnia, incidence of postoperative pulmonary and extra-pulmonary complications, and hospital free days at day 30 after surgery did not differ between groups. CONCLUSIONS: In thoracic surgery patients under OLV, V-VCV did not improve oxygenation or respiratory system mechanics compared to C-VCV. Ethical Committee: EK 420092019. TRIAL REGISTRATION: at the German Clinical Trials Register: DRKS00022202 (16.06.2020).

Laryngeal mask airway combined with bronchial blocker achieved 1-lung ventilation in a patient with bilateral vocal cord paralysis: A case report.

INTRODUCTION: One-lung ventilation (OLV) is a commonly used technique to facilitate surgical visualization during thoracic surgical procedures. Double-lumen endotracheal tubes and one-lumen tracheal tube combined with bronchial blocker might lead to intubation-related laryngeal injury. PATIENT CONCERNS: In the perioperative period, how to avoid further damage to the vocal cord while achieving OLV during operation is challenging work. DIAGNOSIS: She was diagnosed with systemic lupus erythematosus, bilateral vocal cord paralysis, and lung tumor. INTERVENTIONS: We used a combination of a laryngeal mask airway with bronchial blocker to avoid further damage to the vocal cord when achieving OLV. OUTCOMES: At 1-month follow-up, she had fully recovered without obvious abnormalities. CONCLUSION: When OLV was required for patients with bilateral vocal cord paralysis, a combination of a laryngeal mask airway with bronchial blocker was considered a better choice.

Two-lung ventilation with artificial pneumothorax on cerebral desaturation and early postoperative cognitive outcome: a randomized controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: The effect of two lung ventilation (TLV) with carbon dioxide artificial pneumothorax on cerebral desaturation and postoperative neurocognitive changes in elderly patients undergoing elective minimally invasive esophagectomy (MIE) is unclear. OBJECTIVES: The first aim of this study was to compare the effect of TLV and one lung ventilation (OLV) on cerebral desaturation. The second aim was to assess changes in early postoperative cognitive outcomes of two ventilation methods. METHODS: This prospective, randomized, controlled trial enrolled patients 65 and older scheduled for MIE. Patients were randomly assigned (1:1) to TLV group or OLV group. The primary outcome was the incidence of cerebral desaturation events (CDE). Secondary outcomes were the cumulative area under the curve of desaturation for decreases in regional cerebral oxygen saturation (rSO2) values below 20% relative to the baseline value (AUC.20) and the incidence of delayed neurocognitive recovery. RESULTS: Fifty-six patients were recruited between November 2019 and August 2020. TLV group had a lower incidence of CDE than OLV group [3 (10.71%) vs. 13 (48.14%), P = 0.002]. TLV group had a lower AUC.20 [0 (0-35.86) % min vs. 0 (0-0) % min, P = 0.007], and the incidence of delayed neurocognitive recovery [2 (7.4%) vs. 11 (40.7%), P = 0.009] than OLV group. Predictors of delayed neurocognitive recovery on postoperative day 7 were age (OR 1.676, 95% CI 1.122 to 2.505, P = 0.006) and AUC.20 (OR 1.059, 95% CI 1.025 to 1.094, P < 0.001). CONCLUSION: Compared to OLV, TLV had a lower incidence of CDE and delayed neurocognitive recovery in elderly patients undergoing MIE. The method of TLV combined with carbon dioxide artificial pneumothorax may be an option for these elderly patients. Chinese Clinical Trial Registry (identifier: ChiCTR1900027454).

Effects of individualized positive end-expiratory pressure on intraoperative oxygenation in thoracic surgical patients: study protocol for a prospective randomized controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: Intraoperative hypoxemia and postoperative pulmonary complications (PPCs) often occur in patients with one-lung ventilation (OLV), due to both pulmonary shunt and atelectasis. It has been demonstrated that individualized positive end-expiratory pressure (iPEEP) can effectively improve intraoperative oxygenation, increase lung compliance, and reduce driving pressure, thereby decreasing the risk of developing PPCs. However, its effect during OLV is still unknown. Therefore, we aim to investigate whether iPEEP ventilation during OLV is superior to 5 cmH2O PEEP in terms of intraoperative oxygenation and the occurrence of PPCs. METHODS: This study is a prospective, randomized controlled, single-blind, single-center trial. A total of 112 patients undergoing thoracoscopic pneumonectomy surgery and OLV will be enrolled in the study. They will be randomized into two groups: the static lung compliance guided iPEEP titration group (Cst-iPEEP Group) and the constant 5 cmH2O PEEP group (PEEP 5 Group). The primary outcome will be the oxygenation index at 30 min after OLV and titration. Secondary outcomes are oxygenation index at other operative time points, PPCs, postoperative adverse events, ventilator parameters, vital signs, pH value, inflammatory factors, and economic indicators. DISCUSSION: This trial explores the effect of iPEEP on intraoperative oxygenation during OLV and PPCs. It provides some clinical references for optimizing the lung protective ventilation strategy of OLV, improving patient prognosis, and accelerating postoperative rehabilitation. TRIAL REGISTRATION: www.Chictr.org.cn ChiCTR2300073411 . Registered on 10 July 2023.

The Year in Thoracic Anesthesia: Selected Highlights from 2022.

This article reviews research highlights in the field of thoracic anesthesia. The highlights of this year included new developments in the preoperative assessment and prehabilitation of patients requiring thoracic surgery, updates on the use of devices for one-lung ventilation (OLV) in adults and children, updates on the anesthetic and postoperative management of these patients, including protective OLV ventilation, the use of opioid-sparing techniques and regional anesthesia, and outcomes using enhanced recovery after surgery, as well as the use of expanding indications for extracorporeal membrane oxygenation, specialized anesthetic techniques for airway surgery, and nonintubated video-assisted thoracic surgery.

Facilitating Lung Collapse for Thoracoscopic Surgery Utilizing Endobronchial Airway Occlusion Preceded by Pleurotomy and One-minute Suspension of Two-lung Ventilation.

OBJECTIVES: To assess when and whether clamping the double-lumen endobronchial tube (DLT) limb of the non-ventilated lung is more conducive to a rapid and effective lung deflation than simply allowing the open limb of the DLT to communicate with the atmosphere. DESIGN: This was a single-center, single-blind, randomized, controlled trial. SETTING: The trial was performed in a single institutional setting. PARTICIPANTS: The participants were 60 patients undergoing elective video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery. INTERVENTIONS: Patients were randomized to the open-clamp airway technique (OCAT group) or control group. Patients in the control group had one-lung ventilation initiated upon being placed in the lateral decubitus position. The OCAT group had two-lung ventilation maintained until the pleural cavity was opened with the introduction of a planned thoracoscopic access port to allow the operated lung to fall away from the chest wall. Thereafter, ventilation was suspended (temporarily ceased) for 1 minute before the DLT lumen of the isolated lung was clamped. The primary outcome of the trial was the time to complete lung collapse scored as determined from video clips taken during surgery. The secondary outcomes were (1) lung collapse score at 30 minutes after pleural incision, (2) surgeon satisfaction with surgery, and (3) intraoperative hypoxemia. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: The median time to reach complete lung collapse in the OCAT group was 10 minutes (odds ratio 10.0, 95% CI 6.3-13.7), which was much shorter than that of the control group (25 minutes [odds ratio 25.0, 95% CI 13.6-36.4]). The difference in complete lung collapse at 30 minutes between the 2 groups was significant (p < 0.001). The surgeon's satisfaction with surgery was higher in the OCAT group than in the control group (8.5 ± 0.2 vs 6.8 ± 0.2; p < 0.001). There was no difference regarding intraoperative hypoxemia. CONCLUSIONS: Suspending ventilation of both DLT limbs for 1 minute after pleural cavity opening and then clamping the DLT lumen of the isolated lung resulted in a more rapid deflation of the surgical lung. This open-clamp airway technique is an effective technique for rapid surgical lung collapse during thoracoscopic surgery.

One-lung Ventilation for Patients With Laryngo-tracheal Stenosis: A Case Report and Literature Review.

Context: Laryngo-tracheal stenosis (LTS) is a relatively rare disease, and conventional methods have difficulty achieving one-lung ventilation (OLV) when an anatomical abnormality exists. Selecting an appropriate method for patients with LTS can ensure oxygenation, collapse the lung, and reduce damage. Objective: The study intended to perform a comprehensive review of the literature and a systematic review to examine the characteristics and management of OLV for LTS patients. Design: The research team performed a narrative review by searching the PubMed and China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI) databases. The search used the keywords one-lung ventilation and tracheal stenosis. The team then performed a review, including the studies found in the search and the research team's own case study. Setting: The study took place at the First Hospital of Jilin University in Changchun, Jilin, China. Participant: The participant in the current case study was a 72-year-old, female patient with generalized tracheal narrowing. Results: Nine participants achieved OLV through BB, with the anesthesiologist performing SLT and using extraluminal BB for six participants. Conclusions: Several methods can successfully achieve OLV for patients with difficult airways, but the current research team found that a small, single-lumen tube (SLT) and extraluminal bronchial blocker (BB) may be a better choice for patients with tracheal stenosis.

Hypoxemia in School-age Children Undergoing One-lung Ventilation: A Retrospective Cohort Study from the Multicenter Perioperative Outcomes Group.

BACKGROUND: Risk factors for hypoxemia in school-age children undergoing one-lung ventilation remain poorly understood. The hypothesis was that certain modifiable and nonmodifiable factors may be associated with increased risk of hypoxemia in school-age children undergoing one-lung ventilation and thoracic surgery. METHODS: The Multicenter Perioperative Outcomes Group database was queried for children 4 to 17 yr of age undergoing one-lung ventilation. Patients undergoing vascular or cardiac procedures were excluded. The original cohort was divided into two cohorts: 4 to 9 and 10 to 17 yr of age inclusive. All records were reviewed electronically for the primary outcome of hypoxemia during one-lung ventilation, which was defined as an oxygen saturation measured by pulse oximetry (Spo2) less than 90% for 3 min or longer continuously, while severe hypoxemia was defined as Spo2 less than 90% for 5 min or longer. Potential modifiable and nonmodifiable risk factors associated with these outcomes were evaluated using separate multivariable least absolute shrinkage and selection operator regression analyses for each cohort. The covariates evaluated included age, extremes of weight, American Society of Anesthesiologists Physical Status of III or higher, duration of one-lung ventilation, preoperative Spo2 less than 98%, approach to one-lung ventilation, right operative side, video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery, lower tidal volume ventilation (defined as tidal volume of 6 ml/kg or less and positive end-expiratory pressure of 4 cm H2O or greater for more than 80% of the duration of one-lung ventilation), and procedure type. RESULTS: The prevalence of hypoxemia in the 4- to 9-yr-old cohort and the 10- to 17-yr-old cohort was 24 of 228 (10.5% [95% CI, 6.5 to 14.5%]) and 76 of 1,012 (7.5% [95% CI, 5.9 to 9.1%]), respectively. The prevalence of severe hypoxemia in both cohorts was 14 of 228 (6.1% [95% CI, 3.0 to 9.3%]) and 47 of 1,012 (4.6% [95% CI, 3.3 to 5.8%]). Initial Spo2 less than 98% was associated with hypoxemia in the 4- to 9-yr-old cohort (odds ratio, 4.20 [95% CI, 1.61 to 6.29]). Initial Spo2 less than 98% (odds ratio, 2.76 [95% CI, 1.69 to 4.48]), extremes of weight (odds ratio, 2.18 [95% CI, 1.29 to 3.61]), and right-sided cases (odds ratio, 2.33 [95% CI, 1.41 to 3.92]) were associated with an increased risk of hypoxemia in the older cohort. Increasing age (1-yr increment; odds ratio, 0.88 [95% CI, 0.80 to 0.97]) was associated with a decreased risk of hypoxemia. CONCLUSIONS: An initial room air oxygen saturation of less than 98% was associated with an increased risk of hypoxemia in all children 4 to 17 yr of age. Extremes of weight, right-sided cases, and decreasing age were associated with an increased risk of hypoxemia in children 10 to 17 yr of age.

One-lung ventilation with a bronchial blocker in thoracic patients.

BACKGROUND: Lung isolation is a technique used in a multitude of surgeries to ensure single-lung ventilation with collapse of the contralateral lung, as to achieve improved access and visualization of relevant anatomical structures. Despite being accepted and having favorable outcomes, bronchial blockers (BBs) are not to this day the main device of choice among anaesthesiologists. METHODS: In this retrospective and descriptive study, we analyzed the safety and efficacy of a BB in all types of thoracic surgeries in our centre between 2015 and 2022, excluding patients with massive hemoptysis or empyema, or who had undergone a prior pneumonectomy. RESULTS: One hundred and thirty-four patients were intervened due to lung cancer (67.9%), respiratory disease (23.9%), and non-respiratory disease (8.2%) undergoing lung surgeries (65.7%), pleural and mediastinal surgeries (29.9%), chest wall surgeries (3.0%) and other surgeries (1.5%). In most cases, lung collapse was considered excellent (63.9%) or good (33.1%) with only 4 cases (3.0%) of poor lung collapse. More than 90% of patients did not present intraoperative or immediate postoperative complications. No statistically significant differences were found between lung collapse and the demographic, clinical or BB-related variables (p > 0.05). However, we found a significatively higher proportion of excellent lung collapses in VATS surgeries and lateral decubitus positioning, as well as a significatively less proportion of poor lung collapses (p < 0.05). Moreover, there was a significantly higher proportion of excellent lung collapses when the BB was placed in the left bronchus (p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: With these results, in our experience BBs constitute an effective alternative, capable of achieving pulmonary collapse in all kinds of thoracic procedures with satisfactory safety rates due to their minimal complications.

Airway management for a patient with tracheobronchomegaly undergoing lobectomy: a case report.

BACKGROUND: Tracheobronchomegaly (TBM) is a rare disorder mainly characterized by dilatation and malacia of the trachea and major bronchi with diverticularization. This will be a great challenge for airway management, especially in thoracic surgery requiring one-lung ventilation. Using a laryngeal mask airway and a modified double-lumen Foley catheter (DFC) as a "blocker" may achieve one-lung ventilation. This is the first report introducing this method in a patient with TBM. CASE PRESENTATION: We present a 64-year-old man with TBM receiving left lower lobectomy. Preoperative chest computed tomography demonstrated a prominent tracheobronchial dilation and deformation with multiple diverticularization. The most commonly used double-lumen tube or bronchial blocker could not match the distorted airways. After general anesthesia induction, a 4# laryngeal mask was inserted, through which the modified DFC was positioned in the left main bronchus with the guidance of a fiberoptic bronchoscope. The DFC balloon was inflated with 10 ml air and lung isolation was achieved without any significant air leak during one-lung or two-lung ventilation. However, the collapse of the non-dependent lung was delayed and finally achieved by low-pressure artificial pneumothorax. The surgery was successful and the patient was extubated soon after the surgery. CONCLUSIONS: Using a laryngeal mask airway with a modified double-lumen Foley catheter acted as a bronchial blocker could be an alternative method to achieve lung isolation.

Comparing the effectiveness of single-lumen high-frequency positive pressure ventilation with double-lumen endobronchial tube for the anesthesia management of endoscopic thoracic sympathetic blockade surgery.

OBJECTIVES: In this trial, we aimed to compare anesthetic effectiveness of single lumen tube (SLT) for tracheal intubation with high-frequency positive pressure ventilation (HFPPV) versus classic double lumen tube (DLT) for tracheal intubation in endoscopic thoracic sympathetic blockade surgery. DESIGN: This was a prospective randomized controlled clinical study. SETTING: The study was single-centered and conducted in a university hospital. PARTICIPANTS: There were 135 endoscopic thoracic sympathetic blockade patients in this study. INTERVENTIONS: The patients were randomly allocated either to DLT (n = 67) or SLT (n = 68) groups. In SLT group, the ventilator setting was kept with frequencies that range from 1 to 1.8 Hz (60-110/min). Data regarding anesthesia duration, surgery duration, difficult intraoperative lung deflation, postoperative atelectasis, postoperative pain, postoperative pneumothorax were recorded and compared. All patients were operated by a single experienced surgeon under general anesthesia provided by the same anesthesia team. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: Both groups were age and gender matched. Among all recorded variables, only anesthesia time was found to be close to statistical significance (P = .059, favoring single lumen). All other parameters were found to be similar between groups. (P < .05). CONCLUSION: We reported that DLT and single lumen tracheal intubation were equally effective for lung deflation during surgery, and SLT with HFPPV ventilation mode during endoscopic thoracic sympathetic blockade surgery provided the surgeon with an adequate and clean workspace with shorter onset of anesthesia. We may suggest the HFPPV technique for uncomplicated surgery groups or where sufficient conditions for DLT cannot be provided in the operating room.

Choosing the correct-sized adult double-lumen tube: Quest for the holy grail.

Appropriate size selection of double-lumen tubes (DLTs) for one-lung ventilation (OLV) in adults is still a humongous task. Several important factors are to be considered like patient height, gender, tracheal diameter, left main bronchial diameter, and cricoid cartilage transverse diameter. In addition to radiological assessment of the airway diameters, the manufacturing details of the particular DLT being used also play a significant role in size selection. Optimal positioning of the appropriately sized DLT is indispensable to avoid complications like airway trauma, cuff rupture, hypoxemia, and tube displacement. It is imperative to know whether the one-size-fits-all dictum holds for DLT size selection as claimed by certain studies. Further randomized studies are required for crystallizing standard protocols ascertaining the correct DLT size. This systematic review article highlights the various parameters employed for DLT size selection and explores the newer DLTs used for adult OLV.

A Clinical Comparison of 2 Bronchial Blockers Versus Double-Lumen Tubes for One-Lung Ventilation.

OBJECTIVES: To compare the quality of lung collapse, time, and number of attempts required to achieve lung isolation, and incidence of intraoperative malpositioning between the EZ blocker (EZB), Fuji Uniblocker (UB), and the left-sided double lumen tube (DLT). DESIGN: Prospective, randomized clinical trial. SETTING: Single tertiary-level, university-affiliated hospital. PARTICIPANTS: Eighty-nine patients undergoing elective open thoracotomies or video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery. INTERVENTIONS: The 89 patients were randomized to receive a DLT, UB, or EZB for one-lung ventilation. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: The quality of lung collapse at the time of pleural opening and 10 and 20 minutes thereafter were assessed by the surgeon using the Lung Collapse Score (LCS; 0 = no lung collapse to 10 = best lung collapse). The time and number of attempts required to achieve lung isolation and the number of repositions required during surgery were measured. Tracheobronchial tree measurements were performed by radiologists from preoperative computed tomography imaging. The surgeon remained blinded to the type of device used. Twenty-nine patients were randomized to the DLT group and 30 patients to each of the EZB and UB groups. The LCSs among the groups at pleural opening and 10 minutes after pleural opening were not significantly different (p = 0.34 and p = 0.08, respectively). However, at 20 minutes after the pleural opening, the LCSs were significantly different among groups (p = 0.02), with median scores being significantly lower for DLT (9 [IQR 8-9]) than for EZB (9 [IQR 9-10]; p = 0.04) and UB (9.5 [IQR 9-10]; p = 0.02). Lung isolation was achieved fastest in the DLT group (p < 0.01). The frequency of difficult placement did not significantly differ among groups, although it occurred most frequently in UB (n = 7; 23.3%). Intraoperative repositioning also occurred most often with the UB (n = 15; 50.0%). The EZB had the greatest number of cases requiring >2 repositions (n = 4, 13.3%). There were no differences between preoperative airway measurements and time to isolation or incidence of intraoperative repositioning among the groups. CONCLUSIONS: The LCS was comparable among the 3 devices until 20 minutes after pleural opening, when better scores were obtained in the bronchial blocker groups. Lung isolation was achieved fastest with the DLT. The EZB had the highest incidence of cases requiring >2 intraoperative repositions, mostly occurring in R-sided surgery. For L-sided surgery, the EZB performed equally to the UB. This suggests that using the EZB for R-sided video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery may be suboptimal. Preoperative airway dimensions did not correlate with time to achieve isolation or incidence of intraoperative malpositioning.

Feasibility of ventilator-assisted tubeless anesthesia for video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery.

General anesthesia providing one-lung ventilation (OLV) with double-lumen endotracheal intubation has been considered inevitable for thoracic surgery. However, with the recent trend of less invasive surgical technique and enhanced recovery after surgery, tubeless anesthesia has been performed in various thoracic surgeries. The aim of this study was to establish a feasible and safe strategy of ventilator-assisted tubeless anesthesia in video-assisted thoracoscopic surgeries (VATS) based on single-institution experiences. We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of patients who underwent tubeless VATS from November 2019 to December 2021. Perioperative anesthetic and surgical variables as well as complications were reported. Seventeen patients with a median age of 29 and American Society of Anesthesiologists physical status I to II underwent video-assisted pulmonary wedge resection under monitored anesthesia care (MAC) using propofol and remifentanil. Mechanical ventilation was applied in synchronized intermittent mandatory ventilation with pressure support mode through facemask if respiratory support was required. During the operation, none of the patients showed hypoxemia or involuntary movement interfering operation. No patients were converted to general anesthesia or open thoracotomy unintentionally. All patients were discharged on median 2 days postoperatively without complications. Ventilator-assisted tubeless VATS is a feasible and safe option in low-risk patients undergoing video-assisted pulmonary wedge resection.

Propofol Versus Remimazolam on Cognitive Function, Hemodynamics, and Oxygenation During One-Lung Ventilation in Older Patients Undergoing Pulmonary Lobectomy: A Randomized Controlled Trial.

OBJECTIVES: To investigate the effects of remimazolam on postoperative cognitive function, intraoperative hemodynamics, and oxygenation in older patients undergoing lobectomy. DESIGN: A prospective, double-blind, randomized, controlled study. SETTING: A university hospital. PARTICIPANTS: Eighty-four older patients with lung cancer who underwent lobectomy, aged ≥65 years. INTERVENTIONS: Patients were divided randomly into the remimazolam (group R) and propofol (group P) groups. Group R underwent remimazolam anesthesia induction and maintenance, whereas group P underwent propofol anesthesia induction and maintenance. Cognitive function was assessed with neuropsychological tests 1 day before surgery and 7 days after surgery. The Clock Drawing Test, Verbal Fluency Test (VFT), Digit Symbol Switching Test (DSST), and Auditory Verbal Learning Test-Huashan (AVLT-H) assessed visuospatial ability, language function, attention, and memory, respectively. The systolic blood pressure (SBP), heart rate, mean arterial pressure (MAP), and cardiac index were recorded 5 minutes before induction of anesthesia (T0), 2 minutes after sedation (T1), 5 minutes after intubation with two-lung ventilation (T2), 30 minutes after one-lung ventilation (OLV) (T3), 60 minutes after OLV (T4), and at the end of surgery (T5), and the incidences of hypotension and bradycardia were recorded. The PaO2, oxygenation index (OI), and intrapulmonary shunt (Qs/Qt) were assessed at T0, T2, T3, T4, and T5. The levels of S-100ß and interleukin 6 were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay at T0, T5, 24 hours after surgery (T6), and on day 7 after surgery (T7). MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: The VFT, DSST, immediate recall AVLT-H, and short-delayed recall AVLT-H scores were significantly higher in group R than in group P on day 7 after surgery (p < 0.05). The SBP and MAP at T2 to T5 were significantly higher in group R than in group P, the incidence of hypotension was significantly lower in group R (9.5%) than in group P (35.7%) (p = 0.004), and remimazolam significantly reduced the dose of phenylephrine used (p < 0.05). The PaO2 and OI at T4 were significantly higher in group R than in group P, and Qs/Qt was significantly lower in group R than in group P. The levels of S-100ß at T5 were significantly lower in group R than in group P (p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: The results showed that remimazolam (versus propofol) may lessen the degree of short-term postoperative cognitive dysfunction measured by standard neuropsychological tests, better optimize intraoperative hemodynamics, and lead to improved oxygenation during OLV.