ABSTRACT
Appropriate size selection of double?lumen tubes (DLTs) for one?lung ventilation (OLV) in adults is still a humongous task. Several important factors are to be considered like patient height, gender, tracheal diameter, left main bronchial diameter, and cricoid cartilage transverse diameter. In addition to radiological assessment of the airway diameters, the manufacturing details of the particular DLT being used also play a significant role in size selection. Optimal positioning of the appropriately sized DLT is indispensable to avoid complications like airway trauma, cuff rupture, hypoxemia, and tube displacement. It is imperative to know whether the one?size?fits?all dictum holds for DLT size selection as claimed by certain studies. Further randomized studies are required for crystallizing standard protocols ascertaining the correct DLT size. This systematic review article highlights the various parameters employed for DLT size selection and explores the newer DLTs used for adult OLV.
ABSTRACT
Background: Selection of adequate size double lumen tube (DLT) is complicated by marked inter-individual variability in morphology and dimensions of tracheobronchial tree. Computerized tomography (CT)-guided left bronchus width measurement has been used to predict adequate size DLT in European and Singapore population; however, no such data exist for Indian population who are racially different. We compared the effect of DLT size selection based on CT-guided bronchial width measurement to the conventional method of DLT selection on the adequacy of both lungs isolation and on the safety margin of right-sided DLT. Methods: Fifty-five adults scheduled to undergo thoracotomy were enrolled in this prospective observational study. An appropriate size left- or right-sided DLT with outer diameter 0.5–1 mm smaller than the CT-measured bronchial width was selected for the isolation of lungs. Adequacy of separation was checked using fiberoptic bronchoscope. The safety margin of selected right-sided DLT size was calculated from CT-measured right upper lobe bronchus width and diameter of right upper lobe ventilation slot of the DLT. Results: Adequate separation of lungs was achieved in 92.7% of studied population, 90.9% in males, and 95.4% in females. Among these, 54.9% patients required different sized DLT as compared to conventional method. Overall safety of margin of right-sided DLTs was comparable between two methods of DLT selection (median [IQR] 4.8 (3.5–6.8) vs. 6.59 (3.5–7.8), P = 0.317). DLT size with adequate isolation of lung correlated with height, tracheal width (TW) on chest X-ray, and age of the patients. A formula to calculate DLT size based on these variable was derived. Conclusion: CT-measured bronchial width predicts the appropriate DLT size better than conventional method. In the absence of CT scan facility, patient height, age, and chest X-ray TW may be used to predict DLT size with reasonable accuracy.
ABSTRACT
Objective To measure the length and diameter of the main bronchus using three-dimensional reconstruction from spi-ral chest computerized tomography scans in Chinese patients,and to evaluate the relationship between the BMI of patients and the length and diameter of main bronchi in order to provide the basis for pre-operative tracheal intubation.Methods 100 males and 100 females,who were scheduled to undergo a chest CT scan for physical examination,the diameter at the carina of the left and right main bronchus were measured.The length of the main bronchi extending from the carina to the line that is vertical to the bronchial wall at the starting point from the branches of the upper lobe was measured at the workstation.Results the length of the men’s right and left main bronchus was (1 9.7±5.2)mm and (50.3 ±4.7)mm.the length of the women’s right and left main bronchus was (18.2±4.1)mm and (46.3±4.5)mm,The length of the left main bronchus(LMB)was about 3-4 times greater than right main bronchus(RMB).the cross-section of the men’s left and right main bronchus was (175.3±29.6)mm2 and (209.4±32.7)mm2 ,the cross-section of the women’s left and right main bronchus was (120.5±24.8)mm2 and (144.4±33.7)mm2 .There was no signifi-cant relationship between the length and diameter of main bronchi and the BMI of patients.Conclusion The results showed that there was no direct relationship between the diameter and the length of main bronchi and the BMI of patients.BMI is not the criteri-on for choosing double-lumen tube (DLT)size.We proposed that three-dimensional reconstruction be used to measure the size of the main bronchi and determine the optimal size of the DLT in a clinical setting.