[Evaluation of oxygen insufflation to non-ventilated lung during one-lung anesthesia]

To prevent hypoxemia during one-lung anesthesia, we have devised an oxygen insufflation machine which can insufflate oxygen (0.2-10 l.min-1) and apply CPAP (0-30 cmH2O) selectively to the non-ventilated lung. In all the 8 patients, arterial oxygen tension was maintained above 100 mmHg by using this machine, and was increased significantly from 76.2 +/- 11.2 mmHg (mean +/- SD) during one-lung anesthesia to 118.9 +/- 25.2 mmHg during the use of this machine. In conclusion, the machine prevents hypoxemia effectively during one-lung anesthesia without hindering surgical manipulations.