Imaging aid for thoracic surgery: multidetector-row computed tomography evaluation of the tracheobronchial structure and bronchial tube selection for one-lung anesthesia.

OBJECTIVE

The tracheobronchial structures were evaluated by multidetector-row computed tomography (MDCT), which provided imaging information for one-lung anesthesia during thoracic surgery.

METHODS

The subjects consisted of 100 patients. Three-dimensional (3D) images of the tracheobronchial structures and the bronchial tubes were created.

RESULTS

Individual differences were found in the tracheobronchial structures in 100 patients. The length and the diameter of the right main bronchus were measured with 3D images and were not related to the patient's physical appearance, such as body height. Problematic intubation cases included a short right main bronchus <10 mm, an anomaly of the right bronchus, and tracheal stenosis.

CONCLUSION

The 3D images demonstrated problematic areas of the tracheobronchial structure and helped the anesthesiologists select the most appropriate bronchial tube suitable for the tracheobronchial structure variations. Therefore, this technique is considered to contribute to safer performance of one-lung anesthesia.