Thoracic surgeons are able to perform increasingly complex operations in large part
because of the development of innovative anesthesia techniques. The anesthetic management
of the patient undergoing thoracic surgery is uniquely challenging because hemodynamic
stability and oxygenation must be maintained while intentionally ventilating only
one lung. This article reviews the major current clinical considerations in the choice
of anesthetic agents, the maintenance of selective lung ventilation, the management
of fluid and ventilation during one-lung ventilation, and the provision of postoperative
analgesia for patients undergoing thoracic surgery.
One-lung ventilation - hypoxic pulmonary vasoconstriction - double-lumen tubes - bronchial
blockade
