Laryngeal mask airway combined with bronchial blocker achieved 1-lung ventilation in a patient with bilateral vocal cord paralysis: A case report

Abstract

Introduction: One-lung ventilation (OLV) is a commonly used technique to facilitate surgical visualization during thoracic surgical procedures. Double-lumen endotracheal tubes and one-lumen tracheal tube combined with bronchial blocker might lead to intubation-related laryngeal injury.

Patient concerns: In the perioperative period, how to avoid further damage to the vocal cord while achieving OLV during operation is challenging work.

Diagnosis: She was diagnosed with systemic lupus erythematosus, bilateral vocal cord paralysis, and lung tumor.

Interventions: We used a combination of a laryngeal mask airway with bronchial blocker to avoid further damage to the vocal cord when achieving OLV.

Outcomes: At 1-month follow-up, she had fully recovered without obvious abnormalities.

Conclusion: When OLV was required for patients with bilateral vocal cord paralysis, a combination of a laryngeal mask airway with bronchial blocker was considered a better choice.