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Updated: Aug 15, 2026

A Novel Rescue Technique for Difficult Intubation and Difficult Ventilation
Published on: January 17, 2011
Difficult ventilation with a double-lumen endotracheal tube: an unusual manufacturing defect
Hung-Shu Chen1, Bruno Jawan, Chia-Chih Tseng
1Department of Anesthesiology, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Kaohsiung Medical Center, Chang Gung University, Taipei, Taiwan, Republic of China.
Unlabelled:
We report an unexpected difficult ventilation with a double-lumen endotracheal tube in a patient receiving left upper lobe lung mass resection. The manufacturing defect in both limbs of the Opti-Port Right Angle Double Swivel Connector of the double-lumen tube resulted in this problem. This defect is difficult to localize by the usual recommended methods. We discuss a modified algorithm for difficult ventilation with a double-lumen endotracheal tube.
Implications:
Difficult ventilation occurred during general anesthesia as the result of a manufacturing defect in both limbs of the connector of the double-lumen endotracheal tube. The problem was resolved with a careful approach, and there were no serious consequences.
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