Thoracoscopy without lung isolation utilizing single lumen endotracheal tube intubation and carbon dioxide insufflation.

Background: This study evaluated the feasibility of performing thoracoscopy without lung isolation employing single lumen endotracheal tube (SLET) intubation and carbon dioxide insufflation.

Methods: Eighty-two patients underwent a variety of thoracoscopic procedures without lung isolation using SLET intubation and carbon dioxide (CO2) insufflation between January and December 2012. Sixty-five of these patients underwent wedge resections and were isolated for analysis. Operations were accomplished using percutaneously placed laparoscopic trocars and insufflation up to 15 mm Hg. Operative times, length of stay, and vital signs were compared with 52 patients who underwent thoracoscopic wedge resections with double lumen endotracheal tube (DLET) intubation.

Results: A retrospective analysis was performed on 65 patients (30 females, mean age 58) who underwent thoracoscopic wedge resections with SLET intubation compared with 52 patients undergoing the same procedure with DLET intubation. Operating room time (111 ± 4.74 minutes), time to incision (49 ± 1.91 minutes), and operative time (48 ± 2.89 minutes) were significantly decreased in the SLET group (p < 0.05). Intraoperative hemodynamic parameters showed no significant aberrations. Two postoperative complications (3.1%) were identified in the SLET group. Length of stay was similar (3 ± 0.49 days versus 3 ± 0.23 days).

Conclusions: Single lumen endotracheal tube intubation is a feasible and safe airway management alternative for thoracoscopic procedures. This method resulted in shorter operative times, no aberrant hemodynamic shifts, low complication rates, and similar hospital stays as compared with traditional DLET intubation.