Background: To improve the conversion efficiency between single-lung and double-lung ventilation after Double-lumen tube(DLT) intubation, we invented a Y-shaped rotatable adjustment between three-lumen tube and double-lumen tube connector (YRC). The performance of YRC was studied with the traditional Y-shaped reconnector (YC) as the control.
Methods: A total of 60 adult patients who underwent thoracic surgery with double-lumen endotracheal tube insertion were included in the study. The subjects after endotracheal tube insertion were randomly divided into two groups: YRC connecting group (YRC group, n=30) and a traditional connector connecting group (YC group, n=30), respectively. Primary endpoints were intubation time and conversion time of single-lung ventilation to double-lung ventilation. The secondary endpoints of this study were the internal gas volume of the two joints, airway pressure, and the time required for sputum aspiration during the operation.
Results: Intubation time in YRC group was shorter than that in YC group (89.75±14.28s vs 107.80±14.96s, p=0.00). Compared with the YC group, the time required for ventilation conversion between single-lung and double-lung ventilation during the operation in the YRC group were significantly shortened (3.60±1.20svs9.05±2.53s, p=0.00). The internal gas volume in YRC (17.20ml) is smaller than YC (24.12ml). There was no statistical difference in airway pressure and the time required for sputum aspiration between YRC group and YC group (P > 0.05).
Conclusion: Compared with the traditional connectors, the YRC can improve the conversion efficiency between single-lung ventilation and double-lung ventilation with double-lumen endotracheal tube, save positioning time, and can be safely used for the anesthesia management of double-lumen endotracheal tube.
Trial registration: This clinical research was registered at the Chinese Clinical Trial Registry(www.chictr.org.cn,ChiCTR2000040188).