Skip to main content
Log in

Use of bronchial blockers: a retrospective review of 302 cases

  • Clinical Report
  • Published:
Journal of Anesthesia Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

The purpose of this retrospective review is to evaluate the safety and efficacy of the bronchial blockers (BBs) used in thoracic anesthesia. We enrolled 302 patients who had a BB placed to achieve one-lung ventilation (OLV). Variables recorded from the anesthetic record included type of device used, type and side of surgery, specific indications for OLV, Mallampati score, route of intubation, and complications related to the use of BBs. The BBs used include the Arndt Wire-guided, Univent, Cohen Flexi-tip, Fogarty catheter, and Fuji. The majority of BBs placed were Arndt (n = 156) or Univent (n = 131). BBs were used significantly more often in thoracoscopic procedures than in thoracotomies (P < 0.01). Of the 251 patients, 216 (86%) had a Mallampati score of I/II and 35 (14%) had a score of III/IV. There were no identified complications related to BBs. In summary, BBs can be safely used to achieve OLV and offer advantages for OLV in specific situations.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  1. Campos JH. Progress in lung separation. Thorac Surg Clin. 2005;15:71–83.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  2. Brodsky JB, Lemmens HJ. Left double-lumen tubes: clinical experience with 1,170 patients. J Cardiothorac Vasc Anesth. 2003;17:289–98.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  3. Campos JH, Kernstine KH. A comparison of left-sided Broncho-cath® with the torque control blocker Univent® and the wire guided blocker. Anesth Analg. 2003;96:283–9.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  4. Narayanaswamy M, McRae K, Slinger P, Dugas G, Kanellakos GW, Roscoe A, Lacroix M. Choosing a lung isolation device for thoracic surgery: a randomized trial of three bronchial blockers versus double-lumen tubes. Anesth Analg. 2009;108:1097–101.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  5. Campos JH. Effects on oxygenation during selective lobar vs. total lung collapse with or without continuous positive airway pressure. Anesth Analg. 1997;85:583–6.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  6. Soto RG, Oleszak SP. Resection of the Arndt bronchial blocker during stapler resection of the left lower lobe. J Cardiothorac Vasc Anesth. 2006;20:131–2.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  7. Sandberg WS. Endobronchial blocker dislodgement leading to pulseless electrical activity. Anesth Analg. 2005;100:1728–30.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  8. Prabhu MR, Smith JH. Use of Arndt wire-guided endobronchial blocker. Anesthesiology. 2002;97:1325.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  9. Barrick BP, Brandon MW, Zvara DA. Inadequate lung isolation in association with asymmetric inflation of an Arndt bronchial blocker. Anesth Analg. 2010;111:241–2.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  10. Peragallo RA, Swenson JD. Congenital tracheal bronchus: the inability to isolate the right lung with a Univent bronchial blocker tube. Anesth Analg. 2000;91:300–1.

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  11. Park HP, Bahk JH, Oh YS, Ham BM. Case report: pulmonary soiling after one-lung ventilation with a bronchial blocker. Can J Anesth. 2002;49:874–6.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  12. Baraka A, Nawfal M, Kawkabani N. Severe hypoxemia after suction of the nonventilated lung via the bronchial blocker lumen of the Univent tube. J Cardiothorac Vasc Anesth. 1996;10:694–5.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  13. Doi Y, Uda R, Akatsuka M, Tanaka Y, Kishida H, Mori H. Damaged Univent tubes. Anesth Analg. 1998;87:732–3.

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  14. Campos JH, Kernstine KH. A structural complication in the torque control blocker Univent: fracture of the blocker cap connector. Anesth Analg. 2003;96:626–33.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  15. Neustein SM. Use and limitations of the Cohen endobronchial blocker. J Clin Anesth. 2006;18:400–1.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  16. Thielmeier KA, Anwar M. Complication of the Univent tube. Anesthesiology. 1996;84:491.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  17. Hanley JA, Lippman-Hand A. If nothing goes wrong, is everything all right? Interpreting zero numerators. JAMA. 1983;249:1743–5.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Kenichi Ueda.

About this article

Cite this article

Ueda, K., Goetzinger, C., Gauger, E.H. et al. Use of bronchial blockers: a retrospective review of 302 cases. J Anesth 26, 115–117 (2012). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00540-011-1245-x

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00540-011-1245-x

Keywords

Navigation