Unilateral postobstructive pulmonary edema following double-lumen endobronchial tube intubation

Summary 

Herein, we report a male patient underwent a video-assisted thoracoscopic resection of left lower lobe intralobar bronchopulmonary sequestration that developed unilateral postobstructive pulmonary edema following double-lumen endobronchial tube intubation. Pulmonary edema subsided after receiving positive pressure ventilation at positive end-expiratory pressure of 5cm H₂O and the patient was extubated 24h later. To prevent this complication, correct placement of the tube should be assessed by auscultation during intermittent ventilation of each lung and fiberoptic bronchoscope should always be performed through both tracheal and bronchial lumens after intubation.

Keywords: Anesthesiology ventilation, Pulmonary edema, Thoracic surgery, Upper airways

Abbreviations: ICU, intensive care unit, PEEP, positive end-expiratory pressure, POPE, postobstructive pulmonary edema