Pediatric Thoracoscopy and Bronchial Blockers: The Continued Search for the Ideal One-Lung Ventilation

Introduction: Thoracoscopic surgical procedures in small infants and children require a growing demand for lung isolation in pediatric anesthesia practice. Materials and Methods: Between January 2006 and September 2014, 16 children underwent thoracoscopic procedures that needed one-lung ventilation using a bronchial blocker. Results: The thoracoscopic procedure was performed at a mean age of 99 months (range, 6-186 months) and a mean weight of 33kg (range, 7-68kg) without any conversion to open surgery in any case. We were able to achieve one-lung ventilation in all patients. The quality of lung deflation was excellent in all patients except in 1 due to malposition of the bronchial blocker, whereas dislodgement of this device occurred in 2 cases. Conclusions: The use of a bronchial blocker provided a highly effective means of one-lung ventilation for children undergoing the thoracoscopic approach.