Use of Modified Fogarty Catheters in Thoracic Anesthesia

Dear Sir:

Fogarty embolectomy catheter has been used as endobronchial blocker alongside endotracheal tube to achieve single lung ventilation in small children undergoing thoracic surgery (1). However, when using these catheters as endobronchial blockers, two technical problems are encountered. First, directing the catheter tip towards the target bronchus is one difficulty. Second, identifying the transparent balloon by fiberoptic bronchoscope is another problem. To solve these problems we have made two adjustments: First, bending the catheter tip (Fig-1) will help to direct the tip to the target bronchus by twisting the catheter shaft.

Figure 1: Bending Fogarty catheter tip.

Second, is to inflate the balloon using saline mixed with methylene blue (Fig-2). A blue colored balloon can be identified easily by bronchoscope. To the best of my knowledge this is the first report on modified Fogarty catheter used in thoracic anesthesia.

Figure 2: the balloon inflated with saline mixed with methylene blue.