Thoracoscopic sympathectomy: endobronchial anesthesia vs endotracheal anesthesia with intrathoracic CO2 insufflation

Purpose. To compare clinical advantages and hemodynamic and respiratory changes during one lung-collapsed ventilation (OLCV) using a double-lumen tube (DLT) or a single-lumen tube (SLT) with intrathoracic CO₂ insufflation, in patients undergoing thoracic sympathectomy (TS) under general anesthesia. Methods. One hundred and twenty-five patients (94 men and 31 women) undergoing TS for the treatment of palmar hyperhidrosis (PH) were randomly allocated to two groups: group A (68 patients; age, 29 ± 6 years) in whom DLT was used, and group B (57 patients; age, 32 ± 3 years) in whom SLT with intrathoracic CO₂ insufflation at a rate of 0.5–1 l·min⁻¹ and sustained intrathoracic pressure at 6 mmHg insufflation were used. Anesthesia was maintained with 1 minimum alveolar concentration (MAC) isoflurane in 50% nitrous oxide in oxygen with incremental doses of sufentanil and atracurium when required. Arterial blood gases were measured in 10 patients in group B. Hemodynamic and respiratory parameters were obtained perioperatively. Results. There were no significant differences in hemodynamic and respiratory parameters between the two groups during the study phases, except for the arterial oxygen saturation (SpO₂). The times required for anesthesia and surgery were significantly shorter in the SLT group than in the DLT group. SpO₂ during OLCV was 95 ± 1% with DLT and 98 ± 1% with SLT, with a significant difference. Three patients had an SpO₂ of less than 90% in the recovery room, where the chest tube position was readjusted, with no further sequelae. Conclusion. General anesthesia with SLT and intrathoracic CO₂ insufflation provides optimal operating conditions, adequate oxygenation, and perfect hemodynamic stability during TS. Received: November 28, 2000 / Accepted: August 8, 2001