Airway obstruction by dislodgement of an endobronchial tumor fragment during right lung lobectomy using a bronchial blocker: A case report

ABSTRACT

Dislodgement of tumor fragment with airway obstruction in a dependent bronchus can be a cause of severe hypoxemia, which is a rare but very serious complication of lung surgery. We describe a case of airway obstruction following deflation of a balloon of a bronchial blocker of a Univent tube during right bilobectomy. Following reintubation with a single lumen tube, the patient was simultaneously extubated with the biopsy forceps holding the mass. This report underlines that anesthesiologist should be alert to a possibility of airway obstruction following deflation a balloon of a bronchial blocker.