One-lung Ventilation in a Pediatric Patient: A case report

Abstract

We successfully managed one-lung ventilation in a 5-yr-old boy who underwent thoracoscopic removal of an emphysematosed right lower lobe. We used a 5-French 70 cm balloon-tipped Fogarty embolectomy catheter as a bronchial blocker. Its single lumen, which ends blindly, contains a guidewire and is used to inflate a spherical balloon. First, we threaded the distal end of the blocker through the Murphy hole of a 5.5 cuffed endotracheal tube. The tip of the blocker was adjusted to the end of the endotracheal tube, and the remainder of the blocker was attached closely to the outer wall of the tube and fixed once at the neck of the tube with tape. The tube and catheter were intubated as a set. After intubation, a bronchoscope was introduced through the tube. Under bronchoscopic view, Fogarty catheter was drawn back by 1-2 cm to withdraw the catheter tip from the Murphy hole and then advanced until the balloon tip reached the right main bronchus. With balloon inflation, we were able to achieve satisfactory one-lung ventilation.