Lobectomy for cavitating lung abscess with haemoptysis: strategy for protecting the contralateral lung and also the non-involved lobe of the ipsilateral lung

We describe the anaesthetic management of a patient undergoing lobectomy fo r cavitating lung abscess complicated by haemoptysis. Surgery for lung absc ess is one of the absolute indications for the use of a double-lumen tube ( DLT). Because pus or blood could impede fibreoptic-assisted DLT placement, a traditional, blind placement of the DLT was performed. To protect the uni nvolved parts of the operated lung, ventilation of the lung with the absces s was not performed until the resection of the involved lobe had been compl eted.