One-lung ventilation is well tolerated in dogs undergoing thoracoscopic surgery irrespective of device or side of lung blocked.

OBJECTIVE

To report on placement and perioperative outcomes associated with one-lung ventilation (OLV) devices utilized in dogs undergoing thoracoscopic surgery.

METHODS

This multi-institutional retrospective study included dogs undergoing OLV for elective thoracoscopic surgery between January 2013 and December 2023. Patient data, OLV technique, surgical and anesthetic complications, and perioperative blood gases were recorded. Success of OLV was defined as sustained collapse of the intended lung. Complications were graded from 1 (mild) to 5 (death or euthanasia).

RESULTS

93 dogs (47 female, 46 male) were included. The median age was 9.5 years (range, 0.08 to 14.7 years) and median weight was 26.8 kg (range, 2.5 to 62.8 kg). Devices used for OLV included endobronchial blockers (n = 71), double-lumen tubes (15), selective intubation with an endotracheal tube (1), or unspecified (6). One-lung ventilation was successful in 90 dogs. Conversion to an open approach occurred in 23 cases and was secondary to complications of OLV in 4 cases. Grade 2 (moderate) and 3 (severe) hypercapnia were recorded in 62 of 93 dogs and 11 of 93 dogs, respectively. Grade 2 and 3 hypoxemia were recorded in 10 of 93 dogs and 6 of 93 dogs, respectively. Dogs with left bronchus blockade had significantly lower odds of grade 2 hypoxemia compared to dogs with right bronchus blockade.

CONCLUSIONS

OLV was successful in most cases. Intraoperative hypercapnia and hypoxemia were commonly reported, but rarely led to conversion and typically resolved postoperatively.

CLINICAL RELEVANCE: OLV is a well-tolerated technique in dogs undergoing thoracoscopic procedures with excellent short-term outcomes.