title: Sudden loss of ventilation through a double-lumen endotracheal tube requiring a surgical bronchotomy.
abstract: A left completion pneumonectomy for primary lung cancer (left lower lobectomy) was complicated by sudden loss of ability to ventilate the patient through the double-lumen endotracheal tube. The problem could not be overcome by the anesthesiologist. In the face of impending cardiorespiratory arrest, a single-lumen tube was introduced through an incision in the left main bronchus through to the right main bronchus. This life-saving maneuver safeguarded the airway and permitted a successful outcome to the operation.
authors.affiliation: School of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen, United Kingdom.
authors.forename: Robert
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Torrance
authors.forename: Alan
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Dawson
authors.forename: Jared M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Wohlgemut
authors.forename: Keith
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Buchan
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D001980:Bronchi / Q000601:surgery*; D004638:Emergency Treatment; D004868:Equipment Failure; D006801:Humans; D007431:Intraoperative Complications / Q000601:surgery*; D007442:Intubation, Intratracheal / Q000295:instrumentation*; D008175:Lung Neoplasms / Q000601:surgery; D008297:Male; D011013:Pneumonectomy; D012121:Respiration, Artificial / Q000295:instrumentation*
keywords: 15