Efficacy of bronchial blocker outside endotracheal tube for one-lung ventilation in pediatric patients

Objective To evaluate the efficacy of bronchial blocker outside the endotracheal tube for one-lung ventilation (OLV) in pediatric patients. Methods Thirty-eight American Society of Anesthesiologists physical status ⅠorⅡ patients of both sexes, aged 4-8 yr, weighing 14.0-28.6 kg, scheduled for elective thoracic surgery under general anesthesia, were enrolled in this study.The size of tracheal tube was selected according to the endotracheal diameter at the level of clavicle and sternum on chest X-ray.After anesthesia induction, the distal end of the bronchial blocker was bent toward the target bronchus with a videolaryngoscope and then inserted until resistance was felt, and the preselected tracheal tube was inserted with a videolaryngoscope at a depth of (age/2+ 12) cm.The position of the bronchial blocker was adjusted using a bronchofiberscope so that the upper edge of the blue cuff was 0.5-1.0 cm below the carina.The heart rate, mean arterial pressure, SpO2 and airway pressure were recorded, arterial blood gas analysis was performed, and PaCO2 and PaO2 were recorded immediately before OLV (T1), at 30 min after OLV (T2) and at the end of OLV (T3). The intubation time, success rate of intubation at first attempt, displacement of bronchial blocker and occurrence of postoperative laryngeal pain and hoarseness were recorded.The pulmonary collapse was evaluated according to the standard described by Campos. Results Compared with the baseline at T1, PaO2 was significantly decreased and airway pressure was increased at T2, 3 (P 0.05). The average intubation time was(185±38)s.The success rate of intubation at first attempt, rate of bronchial blocker displacement, excellent and good rates of pulmonary collapse and incidence of laryngeal pain and hoarseness were 95%, 16%, 100% and 11%, respectively. Conclusion Bronchial blocker outside the endotracheal tube can be effectively used for OLV in pediatric patients. Key words: Intubation, intratracheal; Respiration, artificial; Child