Video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS) has many advantages over open thoracic surgery. Safety and efficacy of VATS in children have been confirmed, and VATS should be a common surgery. VATS and
single-lung ventilation (SLV) induce various chafiges of ventilation and perfusion. In pediat- ric patients, thoracic surgery with lateral d6cubitus position has an increased risk of
hypoxia and circula- tory insufficiency. VATS has gained wide acceptance in pediatric tho- racic surgery. Therefore, SLV is more required for pediatric patients. SLV for pediatric patients, selective main stem intubation with a conventional single lumen tube, bronchial blocker, Univent tubeTM and double lumen tube are used. In neonatal patients and infants, Fogartye
catheter or Wedge Pressure CatheterTm is often used as a bronchial blocker. Indication and method of SLV should be determined by patient's age,
body weight, complications and operative procedures.
Anesthesia is maintained with inhalation and/or
intravenous anesthesia. Various approaches are needed for maintaining oxygenation and gas exchange. For postoperative
analgesia, nonsteroidal anti-in- flammatory drugs (
NSAIDs), acetoaminophen, and
opioids are given via oral, rectal and intravenous routes. Regional
analgesia (epidural analgesia, para- vertebral
nerve blocks, intercostal nerve blocks etc) is effective for
postoperative pain.