Comparison of Double Lumen Tube Placement Techniques

The purpose of this study is to compare three different standard of care methods of
double-lumen endobronchial tube (DLT) placement in patients who are scheduled to have
thoracic surgery in which lung isolation is required. The investigators want to evaluate the
technique of placement of the double-lumen endobronchial tube (DLT) using an included stylet
that has been radically bent (ZU-bend) as compared to a commercial GlideRite stylet with the
GlideScope and direct laryngoscopy using the Macintosh laryngoscope. A double-lumen
endobronchial tube (DLT) is a breathing tube utilized to manage the airway when lung
separation is needed for a surgical procedure. The investigator wants to evaluate how long it
takes for successful placement of the double-lumen endobronchial tube (DLT) and assess the
difficulty of the procedure experienced by the physician performing the intubation.

Inclusion Criteria:

1. Male and female patients requiring a double-lumen endobronchial tube placement for
surgery at Emory University Hospital or Emory University Hospital Midtown

2. Patients willing and able to provide written informed consent

Exclusion Criteria:

1. Patients in whom a previously difficult airway manipulation was recorded on an
anesthetic record

2. Lung transplantation procedures, as underlying pulmonary disorder that will confound
the SpO2 (peripheral capillary oxygen saturation) metric

3. Any patient who is receiving anticoagulants in excess of a daily aspirin, patients
with an International Normalized Ratio or INR >1

4. Patients in whom one lung ventilation or placement of a double-lumen endobronchial
tube is contraindicated

5. Patients who require a rapid-sequence intubation

6. Patients undergoing emergency procedures