Chapter 19: Guidelines on the Provision of Anaesthesia Services for Thoracic Procedures 2025
Specific bougies designed for use with double-lumen tracheal tubes or airway exchange catheters should be available.
Specific bougies designed for use with double-lumen tracheal tubes or airway exchange catheters should be available.
Clamps or specialised angle pieces should be available to isolate the lung during surgery.
Continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) circuits should be available for management of hypoxia during one lung ventilation.
Anaesthetic assistants whether nurse or operating department practitioners, should be trained in the preparation of this specialist equipment to be able to support the anaesthetist in the delivery of lung isolation and one lung ventilation.
The anaesthetic machine should have a ventilator capable of meeting the requirements for protective lung ventilation.
Dedicated equipment for jet ventilation should be available for interventional airway procedures.8 Appropriate fittings should be checked and available for connection to rigid bronchoscopes. It should include an ultrasound machine for nerve blocks.
A variety of nerve blocking needles and catheters and appropriate infusion or elastomeric pumps for delivery of local anaesthetic should be available. Protocols should be in place for the delivery and monitoring of these infusions.
A fluid warmer allowing the transfusion of warmed blood products and intravenous fluids should be available.
A rapid infusion device should be readily available and considered for the management of major haemorrhage.9
A cell salvage service should be available for patients where massive blood loss is anticipated and for patients who decline blood products. Staff who operate this equipment should receive training and use it frequently to maintain their skills.