This study evaluated how simple external airway maneuvers affect the alignment of the left main bronchus during placement of a left-sided double-lumen endotracheal tube. Adults undergoing elective thoracic surgery requiring one-lung ventilation were enrolled.
During double-lumen tube placement, a fiberoptic bronchoscope was used to continuously view the airway. Each participant underwent three sequential maneuvers: rightward displacement of the trachea, turning the head 45 degrees to the right, and turning the head 45 degrees to the left. The investigators measured how far the opening of the left main bronchus moved on the bronchoscopic image and whether it crossed the center of the image.
The purpose of the study was to determine how these maneuvers change airway alignment and whether they may help guide a left-sided double-lumen tube toward the left main bronchus.