Endobronchial intubation in thoracic surgery: Which side should be preferred?

Aim This study was undertaken to compare the clinical performance of right versus left double-lumen endotracheal tubes placed without using fiberoptic bronchoscopy in thoracic surgery operations. Methods This was a retrospective review of patients who were operated on in our institution between January 2013 and February 2014. We analyzed clinical performance in terms of hypoxia, hypercapnia, and adequate deflation of the lungs with both left- and right-sided double-lumen endotracheal tubes. Results There were 80 patients with a mean age of 53.74 ± 15.59 years. Right-sided double-lumen tubes were used in 33 patients, and left-sided double-lumen tubes were used in 47. Perioperative hypoxi ( p < 0.05), hypercapnia ( p < 0.01), and inadequate deflation of the lung ( p < 0.001) were found more frequently with the use of right-sided double-lumen endotracheal tubes. Arterial blood gas analyses in the post-anesthesia care unit showed that high pCO 2 (>45 mm Hg), low pH (<7.36), and high lactate levels (>4 mmol L −1 ) were more frequent with right-sided double-lumen endotracheal tubes ( p < 0.001). The incidence of atelectasis was greater ( p < 0.001) and the duration of hospital stay was longer ( p = 0.02) with the use of right-sided double-lumen endotracheal tubes. Conclusion Right-sided double-lumen endotracheal tubes resulted in poorer clinical performance. Therefore, a left-sided double-lumen endotracheal tube should be preferred in thoracic surgery operations when an appropriate size of fiberoptic bronchoscope is not available.