Case Reports
Anomalous Bronchial Anatomy Complicating One-Lung Ventilation for Anterior Correction of Adolescent Idiopathic Scoliosis
Am J Orthop. 2008 October;37(10):E171-E172
Author and Disclosure Information
Steven M. Presciutti, BS, Alexander R. Vaccaro, MD, George D. Picetti III, MD, Zoe Brown, MD, Brian C. Friel, BA, and Corbett D. Winegar, MD
Mr. Presciutti is Medical Student, Jefferson Medical College, and Dr. Vaccaro is Professor of Orthopaedics and Neurosurgery, Rothman Institute of Orthopaedic Surgery, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
Dr. Picetti is Orthopaedic Surgeon, Sutter Neuroscience Medical Group, Sutter Medical Center, Sacramento, California.
Dr. Brown, Mr. Friel, and Dr. Winegar are Research Fellows, Rothman Institute of Orthopaedic Surgery, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
Abstract not available. Introduction provided instead.
The standard protocol for placing anterior instrumentation to correct adolescent idiopathic scoliosis often requires 1-lung ventilation, which can be accomplished by using a double-lumen endotracheal tube to deflate the other lung or by using a bronchial blocker with a single-lumen endotracheal tube to block air from going through selected tracheal passageways. We report the case of a patient whose trifurcation at the carina made placement of a double-lumen endotracheal tube technically challenging. After multiple failed attempts at placement, the surgery was aborted. One week later, a bronchial blocker was placed, and surgery was performed.