Interventional pulmonology: anesthetic management and beyond

Interventional pulmonology procedures and techniques advanced at a fast pace in the last decade and intersect pulmonology, interventional radiology, and thoracic surgery for the diagnosis, staging, and treatment of lung diseases. Given the complexity of both procedures and patients, anesthesiologists are an integral part of the team, and familiarity with procedure steps, risks and complications is very important, as it is close collaboration with the proceduralists.

Due to the complexity of procedures, such as robotic bronchoscopy, lung ablations, and patients, specific ventilatory strategies need to be employed. Recent advancements in robotic bronchoscopy and intraoperative 3D imaging allow the precise localization of lung nodules. Another major advancement is the pulsed electrical energy ablation into the nodule, inducing cell death. Our anesthetic approach must be tailored to these techniques to minimize atelectasis and risk of fire.

Due to the complexity of new procedures, interventional pulmonology necessitates a careful, patient-tailored, anesthetic approach. The recent advancements in robotic bronchoscopy, lung markings and pulse electrical ablations require specific anesthetic techniques, and knowledge of the procedure steps, risks is crucial. Departments might create interventional pulmonology, bronchoscopy anesthesia teams to improve patient safety and team satisfaction.