Endobronchial Tube (Double Lumen)

Endobronchial tubes are used in thoracic surgery. Double-lumen tubes all have cuffed endobronchial portions and tracheal cuffs. The endobronchial parts are curved to the left or right. They are passed blindly and their position should be confirmed bronchoscopically. The main disadvantage of right sided tubes concerns the short length of the right main bronchus before giving off the upper lobe bronchus (risk of occlusion). Thus, left-sided tubes are usually preferred, even for right-sided surgery, because of the risk of inadequate ventilation of the right upper lobe if incorrectly positioned.