Effects of oxygenation during selective lobar versus total lung collapse with or without continuous positive airway...

Hypoxemia is common during anesthesia with one-lung ventilation (OLV). This study tested the hypothesis that selective lobar blockade would result in higher PaO2 values compared with those found with total lung collapse independent of continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) application. Thirty patients undergoing lobectomy were randomly assigned to one of four groups with the following maneuvers during OLV: Group 1 (n = 8) total lung collapse (TLC) plus 5 cm H2O of CPAP to the nonventilated operative lung for 15 mins, followed by selective lobe collapse plus 5 cm H2O of CPAP (during selective collapse only the surgical lobe was collapsed and the rest of that lung was ventilated); Group 2 (n = 6) selective lobar collapse plus 5 cm H2O of CPAP to the operative lung, followed by TLC plus 5 cm H2O of CPAP; Group 3 (n = 8) total lung collapse without CPAP, followed by selective lobe collapse and no CPAP; Group 4 (n = 8) selective lobe collapse without CPAP, followed by TLC and no CPAP. To obtain selective lobe collapse, the bronchial blocker of the Univent (Vitaid, Lewiston, NY) endotracheal tube was guided into the operative bronchus with the aid of a fiberoptic bronchoscope. Blood pressure, heart rate, and arterial blood gas measurements were obtained during the following times: Time 1--while the patient was awake; Time 2--two-lung ventilation (2LV) in the supine position; Time 3--after 30 min of OLV in the lateral decubitus position (no CPAP or selective blockade); Time 4 and Time 5--during maneuvers described above (see group description); Time 6--2LV resumed; Time 7--30 min after extubation. Twenty-eight patients completed the study. There were no differences among groups with regard to arterial blood pressure, heart rate, or arterial oxygen saturation during the experimental maneuvers. All four groups showed a decrease in PaO2 from 2LV to OLV (P < 0.05). Both with and without CPAP application, oxygenation was improved with selective lobe collapse compared with TLC. When selective lobe collapse with 5 cm H2O of CPAP followed TLC (group 1), PaO2 values increased to values similar to those found for 2LV (PaO2 449 +/- 122 vs 394 +/- 105 mm Hg). This study indicates that by using a bronchial blocker, changing from total lung collapse to selective lobar blockade improves PaO2 during lung surgery.

This study examines how oxygen tension in arterial blood can be higher during one-lung ventilation. The use of a bronchial blocker, which changes a total lung collapse to selective lobar blockade, improves oxygenation during lung surgery.