[Single lung ventilation in a pediatric patient using a Fogarty catheter with a hollow center]

A six-year-old boy with left pulmonary segmentation was scheduled for video-assisted thoracoscopic left lower lobectomy. Because he had had repeated pneumonia, and the operation needed good surgical visualization, we used a 4 Fr Fogarty catheter with a hollow center (Fogarty Thru-Lumen Embolectomy: Baxter) as a bronchial blocker for one-lung ventilation. The Fogarty catheter was advanced to the left mainstem bronchus through the 5.5 mmID standard tube under direct view with a fiberscope. The one lung anesthesia was successfully performed. We could easily deflate the lung and drain the blood and sputum from the blocked lung. Postoperatively, there was no evidence of atelectasis of the lungs. The post-operative course was uneventful. The Fogarty catheter with a hollow center is useful for one lung anesthesia for pediatric patients. It is easy to insert and fix. And, we can easily deflate and drain the blocked lung.