A comparison of two different bronchial cuff designs and four different bronchial cuff inflation methods

A Comparison of the Required Bronchial Cuff Volume Obtained by 2 Cuff Inflation Methods, Capnogram Waveform-Guided Versus Pressure-Guided: A Prospective Randomized Controlled Study

BACKGROUND

Double-lumen endobronchial tubes (DLTs) are used for one-lung ventilation (OLV) during thoracic surgery. Overinflation into the bronchial cuff causes damage to the tracheobronchial mucosa, whereas underinflation leads to an incomplete collapse of the nonventilated lung or incomplete ventilation of the ventilated lung. However, how to determine the appropriate bronchial cuff volume and pressure during OLV is unclear. The objective of this study is to compare the required bronchial cuff volume for lung separation obtained by 2 different cuff inflation methods under closed- and open-chest conditions.

METHODS

A total of 64 patients scheduled to undergo elective thoracic surgery requiring OLV were recruited. Left DLTs were used for both right- and left-sided surgery. The patients were randomly assigned to 1 of 2 inflation-type groups to estimate the bronchial cuff volume. In the capnogram waveform-guided bronchial cuff inflation group (capno group, n = 27), the bronchial cuff was inflated until a capnometer sampling gas containing CO2 from the nonventilated lung displayed a flat line. The corresponding bronchial cuff volume and pressure were then recorded. In the pressure-guided bronchial cuff inflation group (pressure group, n = 29), the bronchial cuff was inflated by a cuff inflator to a pressure of 20 cm H2O. Lung separation was confirmed when a flat line of a capnometer was observed after gas sampling from the nonventilated lung.

RESULTS

Under closed-chest conditions, the bronchial cuff sealing volume for the capno group was significantly lower than that for the pressure group (mean [standard deviation {SD}], 1.00 [0.65] mL vs 1.44 [0.59] mL, mean difference, -0.44; 97.5% confidence interval [CI], -0.78 to -0.11; P = .010). Under open-chest conditions, the bronchial cuff sealing volume for the capno group was also significantly lower than that for the pressure group (mean [SD], 0.65 [0.66] mL vs 1.22 [0.45] mL, mean difference, -0.58; 97.5% CI, -0.88 to -0.27; P < .001).

CONCLUSIONS

The lowest cuff volume providing an air-tight bronchial seal was obtained by the capnogram waveform-guided bronchial cuff inflation method. Since the cuff volume required to achieve an air-tight seal decreases after opening the chest, readjustment of the bronchial cuff volume to prevent bronchial cuff damage to the tracheobronchial mucosa after opening the chest may be advisable.

Rupture of Left Main Bronchus Associated with Radiotherapy-induced Bronchial Injury and Use of a Double-lumen Tube in Oesophageal Cancer Surgery

We report a case of rupture of the left main bronchus in a female patient with oesophageal carcinoma, who had received thoracic radiotherapy preoperatively. Endotracheal intubation was achieved with a left-sided double-lumen tube. After almost three hours of intubation and one and half hours of one-lung ventilation, bronchial injury was detected. Immediate surgical repair of the membranous part of the bronchus was undertaken, as well as completion of the oesophagectomy. Radiotherapy-induced damage to the bronchus was thought to have contributed to the rupture. The presentation, diagnosis and management of intraoperative bronchial rupture are discussed.

Rigid Bronchoscopic Placement of Fogarty Catheter as a Bronchial Blocker for One Lung Isolation and Ventilation in Infants and Children Undergoing Thoracic Surgery: A Single Institution Experience of 27 Cases

One-lung ventilation (OLV) is a challenging task in infants and children as few techniques are possible because of narrow anatomy. The aim of this study is to evaluate and experience lung isolation with Fogarty catheters as a bronchial blocker placed by rigid bronchoscope for OLV in infants and children with lung pathologies requiring surgical management in an industrial hospital. This study is a prospective study carried out in J.L.N. Hospital and Research Centre, Bhilai (CG), from January 2011 to December 2014. The study was designed to place Fogarty catheter for achieving OLV using rigid bronchoscope in children. The patient and anaesthesia characteristics, placement and positioning of Fogarty catheters, intraoperative course, complications and recovery of the patient were studied. The data were then compared with the relevant and available literature. Over the study period of 4 years, 27 cases were included, out of which 22 (81.48 %) cases had suppurative lung disease, three cases (11.11 %) had hydatid cyst of the lung, whereas one case (3.7 %) each of congenital lobar emphysema and congenital cystic adenomatoid malformation of the lung, respectively. In all cases general anaesthesia was provided using single lumen endotracheal tube and one lung ventilation achieved by parallel placement of Fogarty catheter as a bronchial blocker with rigid bronchoscope. The surgical management included thoracotomy with decortication in 21 cases, thoracotomy with excision of hydatid cyst in 3 cases, video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery, thoracotomy with left upper lobectomy and thoracotomy with left lower lobectomy in one case each, respectively. There were no major intraoperative and postoperative complications. There was no mortality in our study. We conclude that rigid bronchoscope can be safely and effectively used to place Fogarty catheter in main bronchus in infants and children for achieving OLV.

Pediatric thoracic anesthesia

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

Surgical interventions, including video-assisted thoracoscopic surgeries, are increasingly being performed in the neonatal and pediatric populations. Thoracic anesthesia in infants and children poses special challenges for the anesthesiologist. These include assessment of the patient's clinical condition, obtaining and maintaining single lung ventilation, and maintaining adequate ventilation and oxygenation while the surgery is in progress.

RECENT FINDINGS

This review will outline the anesthetic management of infants and children undergoing thoracic surgery, including preoperative assessment, and anesthetic induction and maintenance. The physiology and methods of single lung ventilation will be reviewed, including the use of bronchial blockers, Univent tubes and double-lumen tubes. Special considerations for video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery, pectus repair and mediastinal masses will be discussed.

SUMMARY

These techniques will provide the anesthesiologist with a number of strategies for assessing the pediatric thoracic patient and for managing pediatric single lung ventilation.

Single-lung ventilation in infants and children

During the past decade, the use of video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS) has dramatically increased in children as well as adults. Although VATS can be performed while both lungs are being ventilated, single-lung ventilation (SLV) is desirable during VATS. In addition, anaesthesiologists are performing (and paediatric surgeons are requesting) SLV more frequently for open thoracotomies in infants and children.

Pediatric thoracic anesthesia

The anesthesiologist caring for infants and children undergoing thoracic surgery faces many challenges. An understanding of the primary underlying lesion as well as associated anomalies that may impact perioperative management is paramount. A working knowledge of respiratory physiology and anatomy in infants and children is required for the planning and execution of appropriate intraoperative care. Familiarity with a variety of techniques for SLV suited to the patient's size will allow maximal surgical exposure while minimizing trauma to the lungs and airways. Finally, use of regional anesthetic techniques, including epidural anesthesia and analgesia, facilitates optimal postoperative pain control and pulmonary function.