[Complications during use of the Carlens catheter]

Two complications occurring during anesthesia with the use of Carlens catheter are discribed: -in the first case, perforation of the carena by the tip of the catheter and a tear along that left main bronchus, owing to invasion of the area by carcinoma, and death on the second post-operative day in spite of sutures that were carried out. -in the second case, poor indications for selective intubation of the left main bronchus by left upper lobectomy initially foreseen, whereas pneumonectomy was necessary, hypoventilation, anoxia, cardiac inefficacy.