Left-lung ventilation and right-chest operation caused profound decrease of arterial oxygen partial pressure (PaO2), compared with two-lung ventilation before surgery (70.7%, P > 0.0003) and compared with PaO2 at two-lung ventilation during and after surgery (decrease of 80.1% and 75.3%, respectively; P > 0.001 and < 0.005, respectively). Right-lung ventilation and left-chest operation did not cause hypoxemia.
Pulse oximetry and repeated blood gas measurements are needed during endoscopic transthoracic sympathectomy in order to detect and treat hypoxemic events, which may jeopardize the patient's life.
Journal of Cardiothoracic and Vascular Anesthesia
Volume 10, Issue 2, February 1996, Pages 207-209