Anesthesia for Thoracic Surgery

Study Notes

Indications for Thoracic Surgery

Common indications include lung cancer, pneumothorax, and esophageal cancer

Challenges of Thoracic Anesthesia

One particular anesthetic challenge is managing one-lung ventilation, which is often required during thoracic surgery

Diagnostic Procedures

A common diagnostic procedure associated with thoracic surgery is bronchoscopy, which allows for visualization of the airways and diagnosis of conditions such as foreign body aspiration

Consequences of Inhalation of Organic Foreign Body

A potential consequence of inhalation of an organic foreign body is lung abscess or pneumonia

Symptoms and Signs of Laryngeal or Tracheal Obstruction

Symptoms and signs of laryngeal or tracheal obstruction due to foreign body aspiration include wheezing, coughing, stridor, and respiratory distress
Other signs may include increased respiratory rate, decreased oxygen saturation, and use of accessory muscles

Induction during Bronchoscopy

During bronchoscopy in the presence of airway oedema, awake fibreoptic intubation is recommended for induction

Intubation prior to Rigid Bronchoscopy

Intubation is not recommended prior to rigid bronchoscopy for foreign body removal because it can push the foreign body further into the airway, making removal more difficult

Monitoring during Bronchoscopy

The main purpose of monitoring using pulse oximetry, ECG, non-invasive blood pressure, and capnography during bronchoscopy for foreign body removal is to detect and respond to potential complications such as hypoxia, respiratory failure, and cardiac arrhythmias

Sedative Premedication

Sedative premedication is not recommended in the case of foreign body aspiration because it can increase the risk of respiratory failure and make it more difficult to diagnose and treat the underlying condition

Oesophageal Foreign Bodies

Oesophageal foreign bodies may present with respiratory distress due to compression of the trachea or bronchi, or due to the foreign body being inhaled into the airway

Description

Test your knowledge of the unique physiological challenges and common indications for thoracic surgery with this quiz. Topics include physiological derangements, one-lung ventilation, malignancies, chest trauma, esophageal disease, and mediastinal tumors.