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- DOI 10.18231/j.ijca.2025.083
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- Citation
Inability to re-inflate a deflated lung due to double-lumen tube malposition during one-lung ventilation: A unique case
Accurate positioning of a double-lumen tube (DLT) is critical for effective one-lung ventilation (OLV) in thoracic anaesthesia. We report the case of a 53-year-old male who underwent thoracotomy and chest wall reconstruction following a severe road traffic accident. After initial successful OLV, difficulty in re-inflating the non-dependent lung led to desaturation. Immediate corrective measures revealed DLT malposition with the bronchial cuff obstructing the right bronchus. Fiberoptic bronchoscopy (FOB) was used to reposition the DLT, restoring adequate ventilation. This case highlights the risks of DLT displacement during surgical repositioning and emphasizes the importance of continuous vigilance, routine FOB use for placement confirmation, and prompt corrective action when complications arise. The inability to re-inflate a deflated lung, as observed here, is a rare complication, emphasizing the need for heightened awareness and well-established protocols for managing such events.
Keywords: One-lung ventilation, Double-lumen tube, Fiberoptic bronchoscopy, Malposition
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How to Cite This Article
Vancouver
Singhal K, Agrawal K, Thapa DK. Inability to re-inflate a deflated lung due to double-lumen tube malposition during one-lung ventilation: A unique case [Internet]. Indian J Clin Anaesth. 2025 [cited 2025 Oct 02];12(3):539-541. Available from: https://doi.org/10.18231/j.ijca.2025.083
APA
Singhal, K., Agrawal, K., Thapa, D. K. (2025). Inability to re-inflate a deflated lung due to double-lumen tube malposition during one-lung ventilation: A unique case. Indian J Clin Anaesth, 12(3), 539-541. https://doi.org/10.18231/j.ijca.2025.083
MLA
Singhal, Kapil, Agrawal, Kritika, Thapa, Deepak Kumar. "Inability to re-inflate a deflated lung due to double-lumen tube malposition during one-lung ventilation: A unique case." Indian J Clin Anaesth, vol. 12, no. 3, 2025, pp. 539-541. https://doi.org/10.18231/j.ijca.2025.083
Chicago
Singhal, K., Agrawal, K., Thapa, D. K.. "Inability to re-inflate a deflated lung due to double-lumen tube malposition during one-lung ventilation: A unique case." Indian J Clin Anaesth 12, no. 3 (2025): 539-541. https://doi.org/10.18231/j.ijca.2025.083