Anaesthetic management for a left pneumonectomy in a child with bronchopleural fistula

The anaesthetic management of a left pneumonectomy in a 18-month-old girl with a bronchopleural fistula is described. An ordinary tracheal tube was slit at the bevel to ensure upper lobe ventilation on right endobronchial intubation. A combination of a bronchial blocker, endobronchial intubation with a slit tube, and nerve blocks for these manoeuvres was used. Pain relief by a thoracic epidural block ensured good physiotherapy and a comfortable postoperative period.