[Airway Management in Thoracic Anesthesia with Double-Lumen Tube]

Abstract

Lung separation and isolation with accomplished one-lung ventilation plays a key role in the airway management for thoracic surgery. Spectrum of indication contains thoracic surgery, procedure- and patient-dependent factors. Usually lung isolation is achieved with a double-lumen tube or a bronchial blocker. Knowledge in tracheobronchial anatomy is routinely requested for anesthesiologists just as the standard use of flexible fibreoptic bronchoscope. This review would give an overview and discussion about the airway management in patients during thoracic anesthesia with double-lumen tubes and recommendations for the clinical routine.