BACKGROUND: Double-lumen tubes (DLT) and endobronchial blockers (EB) are used for one-lung ventilation in thoracic surgery. More complications are seen when using DLT when compared to EB, while major complications are rarely seen. CASE: This case report describes a perforation of the right mainstem bronchus by an EZ-Blocker EB in a patient undergoing a minimally invasive esophagectomy after neoadjuvant chemoradiation. CONCLUSIONS: We advise to insert an EZ-Blocker™ EB with caution and only under direct bronchoscopic visualization, especially in previous irradiated patients.
Bronchi ; Esophageal Neoplasms ; Esophagectomy ; Humans ; Intubation ; Neoadjuvant Therapy ; One-Lung Ventilation ; Thoracic Surgery ; Video-Assisted Surgery

BACKGROUND: Double-lumen tubes (DLT) and endobronchial blockers (EB) are used for one-lung ventilation in thoracic surgery. More complications are seen when using DLT when compared to EB, while major complications are rarely seen.CASE: This case report describes a perforation of the right mainstem bronchus by an EZ-Blocker EB in a patient undergoing a minimally invasive esophagectomy after neoadjuvant chemoradiation. CONCLUSIONS We advise to insert an EZ-Blockerâ„¢ EB with caution and only under direct bronchoscopic visualization, especially in previous irradiated patients.