Use of a Fogarty catheter as a bronchial blocker through a single-lumen endotracheal tube in patients with subglottic stenosis

One-lung ventilation can be achieved with a double-lumen tube or a bronchial blocker. However, the larger outer diameters of double-lumen or Univent tubes may prevent their passage through an area of subglottic stenosiss. We present five cases of subglottic stenosis in which a Fogarty catheter was used as a bronchial blocker through a single-lumen endotracheal tube. The outer diameters of a double-lumen tube, Univent tube and single-lumen tube were compared. Despite special equipment designed for one-lung ventilation, the use of a bronchial blocker through a single-lumen tube, which has the thinnest available wall thickness, seems to be one of the most effective and safest ways of achieving one-lung ventilation in patients with subglottic stenosis or narrowing.     

One-lung ventilation when intubation is difficult--presentation of a new endobronchial blocker

BACKGROUND: One-lung ventilation utilizing a double-lumen endotracheal tube may be technically difficult or inappropriate in morbidly obese or critically ill patients. In patients requiring awake fiberoptic intubation, double-lumen tube placement may be impossible. Wire-guided endobronchial blockade through a conventional endotracheal tube is a new alternative for these patients. METHODS: A 44-year-old, 133 kg female patient was scheduled to undergo a thoracotomy for transthoracic fundoplication. A wire-guided endobronchial blocker (WEB) was placed following rapid-sequence induction and intubation with an 8.0 OD single-lumen endotracheal tube with the aid of a pediatric bronchoscope. RESULTS: The WEB, using a guiding loop, was placed with ease and allowed effective one-lung ventilation. CONCLUSION: The WEB system allows one-lung ventilation to be achieved with a conventional endotracheal tube. The need for reintubation at the end of surgery is eliminated and endotracheal tube cross-sectional area is conserved.     

An update on bronchial blockers during lung separation techniques in adults

Techniques for one-lung ventilation (OLV) can be accomplished in two ways: The first involves the use of a double-lumen endotracheal tube (DLT). The second involves blockade of a mainstem bronchus (bronchial blockers). Bronchial blockade technology is on the rise, and in some specific clinical situations (e.g., management of the difficult airway during OLV or selective lobar blockade) it can offer more as an alternative to achieve OLV in adults. Special emphasis on newer information for the use of Fogarty embolectomy catheter as a bronchial blocker, the torque control blocker Univent, and the wire-guided endobronchial blocker (Arndt blocker) is included. Also this review describes placement, positioning, complications, ventilation modalities, and airflow resistances of all three bronchial blockers. Finally, the bronchial blockers can be used in many cases that require OLV, taking into consideration that bronchial blockers require longer time for placement, assisted suction to expedite lung collapse, and the use of fiberoptic bronchoscopy. The current use of bronchial blockers, supported by scientific evidence, dictates that bronchial blockers should be available in any service that performs lung separation techniques.     

One-lung ventilation in a patient with stenting for tracheobronchial stenosis caused by esophageal cancer

We have provided general anesthesia for a 53-year-old man scheduled to undergo lymph node removal for right mediastinal lymph node metastases caused by esophageal cancer. One year prior, acute respiratory failure occurred because of stenosis of the carinal bifurcation resulting from advanced esophageal cancer with tracheal invasion. The patient underwent placement of tracheobronchial stents (Spiral Z Stent) in two locations (left main bronchus and trachea/right main bronchus), followed by radiotherapy and chemotherapy. In the present case, after an 8.5-mm-ID tracheal tube was placed under bronchoscopic guidance, a 7.0 Fr. bronchial blocker (Arndt Endobronchial Blocker; Cook, Bloomington, IN, USA) was carefully inserted into the stent in the right main bronchus. Next, 3 ml air was injected into the blocker cuff, and left-sided one-lung ventilation was performed. After surgery was completed, the bronchial blocker was removed under bronchoscopic guidance. We confirmed there was no tracheobronchial injury nor stent displacement or deformation, then removed the tracheal tube. Even in patients with tracheobronchial stent placement, one-lung ventilation can be safely and reliably performed by selecting an appropriate bronchial blocker, along with careful insertion into the stent and frequent checking of the blocker position.     

Single-lung ventilation in a pediatric patient using a pediatric fibreoptically-directed wire-guided endobronchial blocker

PURPOSE: The pediatric wire-guided endobronchial blocker is a new device for single-lung ventilation through small diameter endotracheal tubes. In this case report we will discuss the use of this blocker in a pediatric patient. CLINICAL FEATURES: We successfully placed the pediatric wire-guided endobronchial blocker in a 14-yr-old patient who underwent an aortic coarctation repair. The blocker is a 5-French 70 cm double-lumen catheter. One lumen contains an adjustable wire loop. The other lumen inflates a spherical low pressure, high volume balloon. Through a special bronchoscopy port, the blocker and bronchoscope were placed into a 7.0 cuffed endotracheal tube, the bronchoscope passed through the wire loop of the blocker and advanced towards the left mainstem bronchus. Then the blocker was advanced over the bronchoscope and positioned in the left mainstem bronchus. The balloon was slowly inflated under direct vision and the bronchoscope removed. During the case, single lung ventilation was achieved by inflating the balloon, thus collapsing the lung. At the end of the case, the lung was reinflated by deflating the balloon and the blocker was removed without difficulty. The patient tolerated the procedure well and had an uneventful postoperative course. CONCLUSION: Because of the endobronchial blocker's small diameter, this device can be used in a small endotracheal tube without sacrificing the inner diameter (ID) cross sectional area. Therefore, the patient is ventilated through a conventional endotracheal tube with a larger ID compared to the ID of a double-lumen endotracheal tube.     

Applications for bronchial blockers in thoracic surgery

One-lung ventilation is commonly used to facilitate visualization of the field during thoracic surgery. New devices for performing this technique that have become available over the past 2 decades include the Univent bronchial blocker incorporated in a single-lumen tube, the Arndt endobronchial blocker, and the Cohen endobronchial blocker. Although insertion of a double-lumen tube is still the method used most often to isolate the lung, bronchial blockade is an increasingly common technique and, in certain clinical settings, provides advantages over the double-lumen tube. This review provides an update on new concepts in the use of bronchial blockers as a technique for lung isolation and one-lung ventilation. The literature search was performed on MEDLINE through PubMed using the keywords bronchial blockers and thoracic surgery. The search span started with 1982-the year the first modern bronchial blocker was described - and ended with February 2006.     

Lung isolation techniques

Left-sided double-lumen endotracheal tubes should be the tube of choice for most cases in which lung isolation is required. A right-sided double-lumen endotracheal tube can be used effectively when a contraindication to placing a left-sided double-lumen endotracheal tube exists. The method of choice to select left-sided double-lumen endotracheal tubes is based on chest radiograph or CT scan measurements of the trachea or bronchus. Based on clinical reports, Univents or WEB blockers may be a better choice for patients with difficult airways who require one-lung ventilation or for when a selective lobar blockade is needed. For all selective intubation, the method of choice for proper tube placement and bronchial blockade is fiberoptic bronchoscopy with the patient in a supine position at first or in a lateral decubitus position later, or if a malposition occurs.     

Airway injuries after one-lung ventilation: a comparison between double-lumen tube and endobronchial blocker: a randomized, prospective, controlled trial

BACKGROUND: Vocal cord injuries, postoperative hoarseness, and sore throat are common complications after general anesthesia. One-lung ventilation can be achieved via two techniques: double-lumen endotracheal tube or endobronchial blocker such as the Arndt blocker. The current study was designed to assess the impact of these techniques for one-lung ventilation on the incidence and severity of postoperative hoarseness, vocal cord lesions, and sore throat. METHODS: In this prospective trial, 60 patients were randomly assigned to two groups. One-lung ventilation was achieved with either an endobronchial blocker (blocker group) or a double-lumen-tube (double-lumen group). Postoperative hoarseness and sore throat were assessed at 24, 48, and 72 h after surgery. Bronchial injuries and vocal cord lesions were examined by bronchoscopy immediately after surgery. RESULTS: In 56 included patients, postoperative hoarseness occurred significantly more frequently in the double-lumen group compared with the blocker group: 44% versus 17%, respectively (P = 0.046). Similar findings were observed for vocal cord lesions: 44% versus 17%, respectively (P = 0.046). The incidence of bronchial injuries was comparable between groups (P = 0.540). Cumulative number of days with hoarseness and sore throat were significantly increased in the double-lumen group compared with the blocker group (P < 0.01). No major complications such as bronchial ruptures were observed. CONCLUSIONS: Clinicians should be aware of an increased incidence of minor airway injuries that may impair patient satisfaction when using a double-lumen tube instead of an endobronchial blocker for one-lung ventilation.     

Variations on one-lung ventilation

One-lung ventilation is a commonly used technique to facilitate surgical visualization during thoracic surgical procedures. New devices for one-lung ventilation have been introduced into clinical practice over the recent years. One such device is the Arndt Endobronchial Blocker which is a bronchial blocker with a central lumen through which a wire with a looped end has been passed. The loop on the distal end is meant to be placed over a fiberoptic bronchoscope which is then used as a guide to facilitate bronchial placement of the balloon-tipped bronchial blocker. Another advantage of the Arndt device is the airway adaptor that contains ports for the anesthesia circuit, the bronchoscope, the bronchial blocker as well as attachment to the endotracheal tube. The port for the bronchial blocker can be tightened down so as to hold the blocker in place during the procedure. However, patient issues such as size or airway alterations such as the presence of a tracheostomy may make necessary certain alterations in airway management. I describe four cases and provide suggestions for minor alterations in airway management that may be used to provide successful options for one-lung anesthesia.     

Wire-guided endobronchial blockade in a patient with a limited mouth opening

PURPOSE: We report the use of wire-guided endobronchial blockade, a new method of achieving one-lung ventilation, in a patient requiring awake, nasal, fibreoptic intubation for resection of a lung carcinoma. CLINICAL REPORT: A 43-yr-old woman with limited mouth opening, from severe TMJ dysfunction, required a right thoracotomy for right upper lobe wedge resection. One-lung ventilation was accomplished using a new type of wire-guided endobronchial blocker. The device was placed coaxially through the endotracheal tube using a pediatric bronchoscope through a special bronchoscopy port. CONCLUSION: Effective one-lung ventilation was achieved using this system. The system may prove advantageous in clinical situations where placement of double lumen endotracheal tubes or Univent tubes is technically impractical or impossible.     

Bronchial rupture. Diagnosis and therapy of a rare complication of the use of double-lumen tubes

For anesthesia during thoracic surgery, it is common to use a double-lumen endotracheal tube for one-lung ventilation. Double-lumen tubes protect the bronchial system of the healthy lung from being occluded by blood or pus coming from the operated lung. Therefore, in cases of lung abscess, bronchial hemorrhage, lung cyst, or localized lung infection the use of a double-lumen tube is advisable. Facilitating operation and reduced operating time are further advantages of intubation with a double-lumen tube for independent ventilation of both lungs. Due to the rigidity of these tubes, however, there are disadvantages such as injuries to the trachea and bronchial system. We report a case of rupture of the left main bronchus after insertion of a Carlens tube. The intraoperative symptoms of airway leakage are demonstrated, the process of locating and repairing the injury is described. In our case the postoperative course was not complicated; the patient left the hospital 10 days after operation. Causes of bronchial rupture, its therapy, and prophylactic measures are also discussed.     

Comparison of one-lung ventilation and high-frequency ventilation in thoracoscopic surgery.

OBJECTIVE: To report our experience of the use of high frequency ventilation (HFV) in thoracoscopic surgery. DESIGN: Retrospective study. SETTING: University Hospital Rotterdam, The Netherlands. SUBJECTS: 31 patients (18 men and 13 women, mean age 42 years, range 26-67 years) who underwent 46 thoracoscopic procedures between January 1992 and December 1997. INTERVENTIONS: Until October 1994 patients had conventional mechanical ventilation with a double-lumen tube. Since then HFV has been used. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Duration of induction, oxygen saturation, and end-tidal carbon dioxide tension. RESULTS: 25 procedures were done with a double-lumen endotracheal tube for one-lung ventilation and in 21 HFV was used. Induction of anaesthesia took significantly less time in the HFV group (median 14 minutes) compared with one-lung ventilation group (median 31 minutes) (p < 0.05). There were no significant differences between the groups in either SaO2 or end-tidal CO2. CONCLUSION: HFV is both safe and simple for use in thoracoscopic surgery.     

Coopdech封堵支气管导管联合加强型气管导管用于上纵隔肿瘤切除术患者气道管理的效果

目的 评价Coopdech封堵支气管导管联合加强型气管导管用于上纵隔肿瘤切除术患者气道管理的效果.方法 拟经前外侧开胸行上纵隔肿瘤切除术患者22例,年龄24～66岁,体重48～78 kg,ASA分级Ⅱ或Ⅲ级,采用随机数字表法,将患者随机分为双腔支气管导管组(Ⅰ组)和Coopdech封堵支气管导管联合加强型气管导管组(Ⅱ组),每组11例.Ⅰ组术中采用双腔支气管导管技术行单肺通气;Ⅱ组采用Coopdech封堵支气管导管联合加强型气管导管进行气道管理,需单肺通气时可应用Coopdech封堵支气管导管进行肺隔离.两组均应用纤维支气管镜辅助气管内导管定位.记录气管插管时间、定位时间、导管移位情况、纤维支气管镜检查次数、气道峰压增加情况、肺萎陷程度、术后咽痛声嘶的发生情况、呼吸机辅助通气情况.结果 与Ⅰ组比较,Ⅱ组气管插管时间缩短,导管移位的发生率、气道峰压增加率和术后咽痛声嘶发生率降低(P＜0.05或0.01),定位时间、纤维支气管镜检查次数、肺萎陷程度及术后呼吸机辅助通气发生率差异无统计学意义(P＞0.05).结论 Coopdech封堵支气管导管联合加强型气管导管用于前外侧开胸行上纵隔肿瘤切除术患者气道管理的效果优于双腔支气管导管.

Abstract：

Objective To evaluate the efficacy of Coopdech bronchial blocker combined with a strengthened single-lumen tube for airway management in patients undergoing upper mediastinal tumor resection. Methods Twenty-two ASA Ⅱ or Ⅲ patients, aged 24-66 yr, weighing 48-78 kg, scheduled for elective resection of upper mediastinal tumor, were randomly divided into 2 groups (n=11 each):double-lumen tube group(groupⅠ) and Coopdech bronchial blocker combined with a strengthened single-lumen tube group(group Ⅱ).One-lung ventilation was achieved with a double-lumen tube in groupⅠ. The Coopdech bronchial blocker combined with a strengthened single-lumen tube was used for airway management and the Coopdech bronchial blocker was used for lung isolation when one-lung ventilation was required in group Ⅱ. The fiberoptic bronchoscope was used to assist endotracheal tube positioning in both groups. The intubation time, positioning time, the number of patients required for tube displacement, the number of fiberoptic bronchoscopy, increase in airway peak pressure, degree of lung collapse, postoperative sore throat and hoarseness, and the number of patients needing ventilator-assisted ventilation were recorded. Results The intubation time was significantly shorter, the number of patients required for tube displacement was significantly smaller,and the rate of increase in airway peak pressure and incidences ofpostoperative sore throat and hoarseness were significantly lower in group Ⅱ than in group Ⅰ (P＜0.05 or0.01). Conclusion The efficacy of the Coopdech bronchial blocker combined with a strengthened single-lumen tube for airway management is better in patients undergoing upper mediastinal tumor resection than the double-lumen tube.     

Failure to provide adequate one-lung ventilation with a conventional endotracheal tube using a transbronchial approach: a case report

PURPOSE: To report a case where failure to provide adequate one-lung ventilation during transbronchial intubation resulted in a potentially fatal mishap. CLINICAL FEATURES: A 61-yr-old male was scheduled for right lung lobectomy. Induction of general anesthesia was smooth, and subsequent resection of the right middle lobe was uneventful. Difficult ventilation with high airway pressure and poor right lung re-expansion prompted repositioning of the double-lumen tube after the resection. The removal of the right middle bronchial clamp and associated right mainstem manipulation caused flooding of blood into the double-lumen tube. Mindful of the risk of fatal desaturation, the surgeon immediately opened the right mainstem bronchus and cleared the airway. Confirmation of a displaced double-lumen tube prompted the surgeon to insert an endotracheal tube (internal diameter 5.5 mm) from the opened right mainstem bronchus to the left main bronchus to maintain oxygenation. Although bronchoscopic examination confirmed proper location of the reinserted tube, oxygen saturation was not sufficiently (60%) improved. Another 5.5-mm endotracheal tube was inserted, with its tip inside the right upper bronchiole, for further ventilatory support. Finally, a rise in SpO2 to around 95% allowed completion of surgery. CONCLUSIONS: Displacement of the double-lumen endobronchial tube and flooding with clotted blood will result in potentially fatal ventilation difficulties. Repositioning and cleaning of the tube must be prompt to reduce the risk of hypoxemia. Where emergency single-lung ventilation is required, we suggest the utilization of a modified single-lumen endotracheal tube with a shortened cuff-tip length to ensure an adequate margin of safety for mainstem bronchus intubation.     

Lung isolation during port-access cardiac surgery: double-lumen endotracheal tube versus single-lumen endotracheal tube with a bronchial blocker

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to compare the use of a double-lumen endotracheal tube to a single-lumen tube combined with a bronchial blocker for lung isolation during Port-Access cardiac surgery. DESIGN: Prospective, randomized, controlled trial. SETTING: Tertiary care university hospital. PARTICIPANTS: Thirty-two patients undergoing Port-Access cardiac surgery via a right minithoracotomy. INTERVENTIONS: Patients were randomized to intubation with either a left-sided double-lumen tube (double-lumen group) or a single-lumen tube with concomitant use of a bronchial blocker (blocker group). Comparisons between groups included (1) intubation time, (2) number of laryngoscopy attempts, (3) time required for tube exchange at the end of the operation, and (4) surgical satisfaction with the lung deflation (1-5 scale: 5 = excellent). MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: The initial intubation time was similar between groups (118 +/- 82 seconds, double-lumen v 144 +/- 32 seconds, blocker; p = 0.2781). An additional 105 +/- 37 seconds was needed to exchange the double-lumen tube at the end of the operation. The double-lumen group also required more laryngoscopy attempts compared with the blocker group (2.3 +/- 0.6, double-lumen v 1.1 +/- 0.4, blocker; p = 0.0001). The lung deflation was better in the double-lumen group (5 [4-5], double-lumen v 4 [3-5], blocker, p = 0.0414). CONCLUSIONS: Compared with a single-lumen tube/bronchial blocker combination the double-lumen endotracheal tube required more laryngoscopy attempts and additional time to replace the tube at the end of the case but resulted in slightly better overall lung deflation.     

Experience using an improved bronchial blocker (Phycon TCB bronchial blocker)

We recently had opportunities to use an improved bronchial blocker (Phycon TCB bronchial blocker) in surgical patients who needed separation of the lungs and/or one-lung ventilation. This blocker provides a high torque control and can be easily manipulated into the desired site of the lungs. Our clinical experience shows that this blocker is useful particularly when the quick and sure separation of the lungs is crucial or when the insertion of a double-lumen tube is very difficult.     

Airway obstruction during one-lung ventilation using a bronchial blocker and a tracheostomy tube

We describe our experience with a 60-year-old man who had severe airway obstruction during one-lung ventilation with the tracheostomy tube using a bronchial blocker. The blocker, deriving from Univent tube, was passed through the tracheostomy tube and placed in the right main bronchus. We checked that the blocker was in appropriate place with a bronchofiberscope and obtained good one-lung ventilation with the patient in the left lateral position. However, just after the start of operation, when the skin was incised, sever hypoxia and resultant bradycardia and hypotension occurred, probably because of not only malposition of blocker but also atelectasis in the upper lobe of the dependent lung by secretion.     

Use of the Univent System tube® for difficult intubation and for achieving one-lung anaesthesia

Background : One-lung ventilation in major thoracic surgery is the most commonly accepted technique, not only for surgery on the lung but also in procedures involving the oesophagus, mediastinum and thoracic aorta. Conventional double-lumen tubes may sometimes be difficult to place correctly in patients in whom intubation is difficult. In such cases, the Univent System tube® may be of help. It has a curved movable blocker of small calibre, and is designed to slide inside the bronchial tree and occlude all or part of the target lung.
Case Report : We describe a new application of the Univent System tube® in three cases where intubation was presumed to be difficult, and in another with unexpected difficult intubation.
The laryngeal approach was carried out with the distally displaced blocker, inserting it through the sub-epiglottis or the posterior commissure visible orifice. The tube was firmly held and slid through the length of the blocker, rotating slowly until fully introduced. The advantages and criteria for its use are discussed.
Conclusion : Although the double-lumen tube is the first choice for one-lung ventilation, the Univent tube is a good option for selective bronchial intubation and in patients in whom difficult intubation is predicted.     

Single lung ventilation in children using a new paediatric bronchial blocker

As video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery has become more common in paediatric patients, the use of single lung ventilation in children has also increased. Single lung ventilation in young children is performed by either advancing a tracheal tube into the mainstem bronchus opposite the side of surgery or by positioning a bronchial blocker into the mainstem bronchus on the operative side. Techniques for placing a variety of bronchial blockers outside the tracheal tube have been described. We describe a technique for placement of a new bronchial blocker through an indwelling tracheal tube using a multiport adaptor and a fibreoptic bronchoscope.     

Extraluminal use of the Arndt pediatric endobron-chial blocker in an infant: a case report

PURPOSE: Attaining lung isolation in the infant undergoing thoracic anesthesia can be challenging for the anesthesiologist. We describe a novel approach to performing lung isolation in an infant undergoing thoracotomy for lobectomy using an Arndt pediatric endobronchial blocker via an extraluminal technique. CLINICAL FEATURES: Lung isolation in an infant was achieved through the use of an Arndt pediatric endobronchial blocker placed externally to an endotracheal tube. The blocker's placement was facilitated through the use of a pediatric fibreoptic brochoscope placed through the guidewire of the extraluminally placed bronchial blocker. CONCLUSION: This novel technique may provide an easier and more reliable method of attaining single lung ventilation in infants and small children.