OBJECTIVETo assess the feasibility and safety of thoracoscopic bulla resection under laryngeal mask anesthesia with low tidal volume high-frequency lung ventilation.

METHODSSixty patients with pulmonary bulla were randomized into two groups (n=30) to undergo video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS) for bulla resection with laryngeal mask anesthesia and high-frequency low tidal volume lung ventilation general anesthesia and or with intubation anesthesia and one-lung ventilation through double-lumen endotracheal intubation.

RESULTSNo significant differences were found in anesthesia time, surgery time, intraoperative lowest SpO2, intraoperative highest PetCO2, operative field, anesthetic effects, or blood loss between the two groups. The post-operative WBC and NEU% showed significantly smaller increments in the mask anesthesia group than in the intubation group, and the postoperative awake time, initial eating time, ambulation time, in-hospital stay, and drainage time were significantly shortened in the former group with also lower incidences of gastrointestinal reactions, throat discomfort and hoarseness.

CONCLUSIONThoracoscopic bulla resection under laryngeal mask anesthesia with low tidal volume high-frequency lung ventilation is safe and feasible and results in better patient satisfaction and shorter in-hospital stay than procedures performed under intubation anesthesia with one-lung ventilation.