Placement of a Double Lumen Endotracheal Tube in Lateral Position for a Video-Assisted Thoracoscopic Surgery- A Case Report

Abstract

Removal of foreign objects from the thoracic cavity could be performed by open or video-assisted surgeries. Anaesthesia for such cases could be demanding which would require one lung ventilation and intubation in unfamiliar positions. Depending on the extent of underlying injuries, sudden haemodynamic collapse should be anticipated, and precautions should be taken to manage such occurrences. We present a unique case of a safely conducted anaesthesia and surgery for a thoracoscopic removal of a long-bladed knife. One lung ventilation with a double lumen endotracheal tube placed at right lateral position in the absence of a fiber–optic bronchoscopy with improvisation using available equipment is described. According to our knowledge, the former has not been reported elsewhere in the literature.