Dual isolation technique for paediatric lung surgery

This report describes a dual isolation technique adopted to isolate the lungs from one another at the time of right pneumonectomy in a child (age: 5 yrs, 10 kg weight) with evidence of infective lung disease associated with copious purulent secretion and compromised respiratory function. The isolation of right lung from left was achieved by placing Fogarty embolectomy catheter in right main bronchus and a plain polyvinylchloride endotracheal tube (which was aseptically preshaped to have a distal 45 degrees angulation towards left) in left main bronchus. No soiling of left lung occurred during surgery and patient remained hemodynamically stable. In the same child, post-thoracotomy pain was relieved for five days with buprenorphine, administered through a lumbar epidural catheter. The child had an uneventful post-operative course and cooperated for physiotherapy.