Korean J Anesthesiol.  1998 Dec;35(6):1221-1225. 10.4097/kjae.1998.35.6.1221.

Thorax Compression Technique for Management of Uneven Ventilation in the Lung: A case report

• Choi YH

• KMID: 2237646
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.4097/kjae.1998.35.6.1221

Abstract

Atelectasis is an important cause of impaired gas exchange during general anesthesia with mechanical ventilation and consequently hazardous cardiopulmonary effects may be evolved. A 50-year old woman who had no signs and symptoms as well as normal range of radiologic and laboratory findings showed right unilateral lung expansion just after induction. After physical examination, meticulous explorations of fiberoptic bronchoscopy and reevaluation of chest X ray, the cause of ventilatory unequality was supposed as significant difference in compliances of both lungs that resulted in an easy shift to the right, more compliant side. The patient was promptly and successfully managed with several times of synchronous compression with inspiration on the more compliant, right side thorax and then she got equal chest expansion and normal breathing sounds throughout the surgery uneventfully. In undetected microatelectasis or unbalanced thorax expansion as well as massive atelectasis, thorax compression technique should be a very simple and valuable method.

Keyword

Anesthesia, complications; Lung, compliance; Ventilation, distribution, therapeutic, thorax compression technique

MeSH Terms

Anesthesia, General
Bronchoscopy
Female
Humans
Lung*
Middle Aged
Physical Examination
Pulmonary Atelectasis
Reference Values
Respiration, Artificial
Respiratory Sounds
Thorax*
Ventilation*