Intraoperative Ventilation and Anesthesia Issues During Thoracic Surgery

Advancements in thoracic surgical technique have only been possible due to innovations in anesthesia, especially one-lung ventilation (OLV). OLV achieved using a double lumen endotracheal tube or a bronchial blocker is associated with specific hemodynamic, ventilatory, oxygenation, and device challenges. Physicians must consider a patient's comorbidities, anatomy, operative plan, and expected postoperative course prior to initiating OLV. The management of intraoperative anesthetic complications requires a thorough understanding of available airway devices, ventilation strategies, and pathophysiology.