Clinical Evaluation of One Lung Ventilation during General Anesthesia

Lim, Seung Woon

Abstract

BACKGROUND
Separation of two lungs during anesthesia is necessary for the purpose of isolation of one lung from the other to prevent spillage or contamination and facilitating surgical exposure by collapsing the lung in the operative hemithorax. Several techniques are available for providing one-lung anesthesia. This study was performed to evaluate which technique is favored and why it is favored for one-lung ventilation.
METHODS
We studied 70 patients scheduled for thoracic surgery aided by collapse of the ipsilateral lung. We analyzed frequency of each technique, efficacy of lung collapse, adequacy of one-lung ventilation, blood gases and complications.
RESULTS
In the 63 patients out of 70 patients, the double-lumen tubes were used. Left-sided were used in 57 patients and right-sided were used in 6 patients. There were 3 complications: tracheal rupture, right bronchial rupture and post-operative edema of vocal cords. Bronchial blockers were inserted in 7 patients. It was failed in two cases. Ventilation and oxygenation were respectively good in all patients.
CONCLUSIONS
We favored the double-lumen endotrachial tube than Univent blocker. Malposition was frequently seen with the Univent and serious complication was occasionally seen with the double-lumen tube. However surgical exposure and oxygenation was provided with any method, when position was corrected adequately.