[Isolated XXXX of the left main-stem bronchus during intubation with a Carlens tube].

@entity1 @entity712 @entity4403 @entity189 @entity1315 @entity397 @entity358
A case is reported of @entity397 due to a Carlens double-lumen tube. A 73 year old male @entity1 was to undergo a double right lower and @entity189 . All went well and as expected until 20 min after the start of left-sided unilateral ventilation by way of the double-lumen tube. A sudden increase in the inspiratory pressures led to the discovery, first, of a leak around the cuff, and then, air bubbles in the mediastinum. Surgical exploration showed up the 4 cm long @entity397 in the pars membrana of the left main bronchus through which the cuff was herniating. The @entity1 was reintubated and the @entity397 surgically repaired. The right @entity1315 had not been ventilated for 45 min and there were signs of @entity4403 . The immediate postoperative course was rather stormy, with severe @entity712 , recurring right @entity1315 atelectasia and bilateral @entity358 . The @entity1 was only definitely weaned from the respirator 40 days after the surgical incident. Although such complications with double-lumen tubes are rare, they must be recognized and surgically repaired very rapidly. A few simple rules to prevent these complications are discussed.
