One lung ventilation in cases with unsuccessful double-lumen endobronchial intubation

Three cases of thoracotomy with unsuccessful double-lumen endobronchial intubation were reported. Two were first intubated with an endotracheal tube. In the first patient a Fogarty catheter was inserted alongside the endotracheal tube into the right main bronchus to act as a bronchial blocker. The second patient employed a tracheal tube exchanger to change the endotracheal tube into an Univent tube for one lung ventilation. Nasal fiberoptic intubation was performed in the third case and a Fogarty catheter was passed through the lumen of the endotracheal tube into the left main bronchus as the bronchial blocker. All reported cases were operated with one lung ventilation successfully without the use of a double-lumen endobronchial tube.