Lung Isolation Techniques in Patients With Early-Stage or Long-Term Tracheostomy: A Case Series Report of 70 Cases and Recommendations

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.

Double Lumen Endobronchial Tube Placement for Lung Separation via a Tracheostomy Stoma in a Patient Status-Post Laryngectomy

A 63-year-old male with a history of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and squamous cell carcinoma of the larynx status-post laryngectomy and tracheostomy presented for a robotic-assisted right upper lobectomy for neoplasm excision. On physical examination, he was noted to have moderate hypoxia with an SpO₂ of 93% on room air. In order to facilitate potential apneic oxygen insufflation and continuous positive airway pressure in the operative lung, a traditional left-sided 35-French double-lumen endobronchial tube was placed through his tracheostomy, and utilized to facilitate lung separation and to improve surgical manipulation. The patient tolerated the procedure well and was extubated to a tracheostomy collar with a 100% fraction of inspired oxygen delivered with 15 liters per minute of flow.

Recent Advances in Videolaryngoscopy for One-Lung Ventilation in Thoracic Anesthesia: A Narrative Review

Since their advent, videolaryngoscopes have played an important role in various types of airway management. Lung isolation techniques are often required for thoracic surgery to achieve one-lung ventilation with a double-lumen tube (DLT) or bronchial blocker (BB). In the case of difficult airways, one-lung ventilation is extremely challenging. The purpose of this review is to identify the roles of videolaryngoscopes in thoracic airway management, including normal and difficult airways. Extensive literature related to videolaryngoscopy and one-lung ventilation was analyzed. We summarized videolaryngoscope-guided DLT intubation techniques and discussed the roles of videolaryngoscopy in DLT intubation in normal airways by comparison with direct laryngoscopy. The different types of videolaryngoscopes for DLT intubation are also compared. In addition, we highlighted several strategies to achieve one-lung ventilation in difficult airways using videolaryngoscopes. A non-channeled or channeled videolaryngoscope is suitable for DLT intubation. It can improve glottis exposure and increase the success rate at the first attempt, but it has no advantage in saving intubation time and increases the incidence of DLT mispositioning. Thus, it is not considered as the first choice for patients with anticipated normal airways. Current evidence did not indicate the superiority of any videolaryngoscope to another for DLT intubation. The choice of videolaryngoscope is based on individual experience, preference, and availability. For patients with difficult airways, videolaryngoscope-guided DLT intubation is a primary and effective method. In case of failure, videolaryngoscope-guided single-lumen tube (SLT) intubation can often be achieved or combined with the aid of fibreoptic bronchoscopy. Placement of a DLT over an airway exchange catheter, inserting a BB via an SLT, or capnothorax can be selected for lung isolation.

Difficult lung separation. An insight into the challenges faced during COVID-19 pandemic

Difficult lung isolation or separation in patients undergoing thoracic surgery using one-lung ventilation might be attributed to upper airway difficulty or abnormal anatomy of the lower airway. Additionally, adequate deflation of the surgical lung can impair surgical exposure. The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has a harmful consequence for both patients and anesthesiologists. Management of patients with difficult lung isolation can be challenging during the COVID-19 pandemic. Careful planning and preparation, preoperative routine testing, protective personal equipment, standard safety measures, proper preoxygenation, and individualize the patients care are required for successful lung separation. A systematic approach for management of difficult lung separation is centered around securing the airway and providing adequate ventilation using either a blocker or double-lumen tube. Several measures are described to expedite lung collapse.

Extraluminal Placement of the Bronchial Blocker in Infants Undergoing Thoracoscopic Surgery: A Randomized Controlled Study

OBJECTIVE

The purpose of the present study was to evaluate the efficacy of extraluminal use of the bronchial blocker (BB) for one-lung ventilation (OLV) in infants undergoing thoracoscopic surgery.

DESIGN

This was a prospective, randomized, controlled clinical study.

SETTING

University hospital.

PARTICIPANTS

The study comprised 60 infants undergoing thoracoscopic surgery.

INTERVENTION

The study included 2 groups. A BB was placed extraluminally for OLV in group A, and a single-lumen endobronchial tube was inserted into the desired mainstem bronchus for OLV in group C.

MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS

The placement time (4.0 ± 0.6 min v 6.3 ± 4.1 min; p = 0.04) and the number of repositions (2 v 11; p = 0.005) were less in group A. There were significant differences in the heart rate and blood pressure after insertion between the 2 groups (p < 0.05). The tidal volumes and end-tidal pressure of carbon dioxide values 10 minutes after the initiation of OLV were similar between the 2 groups (p > 0.05). The incidence of intraoperative hypoxemia was reduced in group A compared with group C (0% v 20%; p = 0.024). No postoperative adverse events were observed in either group.

CONCLUSIONS

Extraluminal use of the BB may provide a solution for a rapid placement and excellent quality of lung isolation, and it may reduce the incidence of intraoperative hypoxemia in infants without increasing the incidence of hoarseness.