Clinical Research Directory

Learning Curve Analysis of Double-Lumen Tube Placement in Anesthesiology Residents: The Impact of Prior Experience and Laryngoscope Type

Placement of a double-lumen tube (DLT) is one of the fundamental techniques for safely achieving one-lung ventilation in thoracic anesthesia. Compared with standard single-lumen endotracheal tubes, DLTs have a larger diameter, greater length, and a more rigid structure. These characteristics make intubation with a DLT considerably more challenging in both normal and difficult airways, potentially increasing the risk of upper airway trauma and postoperative complications, thereby contributing to increased overall morbidity and mortality. Despite its widespread clinical use, DLT placement remains a technically demanding procedure due to anatomical variability, limited visualization, and operator-dependent performance differences. The reported incidence of DLT malposition in the literature ranges from 32% to 83%. Even in studies reporting lower rates (approximately 32.44%), it is acknowledged that a substantial number of malpositions may go undetected, which can critically impact both patient safety and surgical outcomes. In addition to initial misplacement, repeated repositioning of a malpositioned DLT may itself lead to airway injury. Increased manipulation of the DLT within the bronchial tree may result in excessive trauma. DLT malposition may predispose patients to inadequate lung isolation, hypoxemia, tracheobronchial injury, and potential complications such as barotrauma or pneumothorax. Operator experience is recognized as a key determinant of success in airway management. Previous studies have demonstrated that technical proficiency in advanced airway interventions improves with cumulative clinical experience. However, most existing research has focused on basic airway devices, and evidence regarding advanced airway techniques such as DLT placement remains limited. Furthermore, the relative contributions of operator experience, airway difficulty, and device technology to procedural success have not been fully elucidated. To address the need for easier and safer endotracheal intubation, various types of video laryngoscopes have been developed as alternatives to direct laryngoscopy. Nevertheless, it remains unclear whether video-assisted airway management reduces DLT malposition rates across different levels of operator experience. Simulation-based training has become increasingly important in modern anesthesiology education, providing a safe and standardized environment for the assessment of airway management skills. Accordingly, there is a need for simulation-based studies evaluating learning curves and technical performance in DLT placement. The primary aim of this study is to evaluate the effects of overall clinical experience and prior DLT placement experience on malposition rates during DLT insertion procedures performed in a simulation setting among anesthesiology residents. Secondary objectives include comparing the performance of video laryngoscopy and Macintosh laryngoscopy, as well as analyzing learning curves across repeated attempts. Additionally, the interaction between experience level, type of laryngoscope used, and airway difficulty will be investigated. Study Design and Population This study will be conducted in accordance with the Declaration of Helsinki and will be carried out at Ankara Atatürk Sanatorium Training and Research Hospital after obtaining approval from the institutional ethics committee. The study is designed as a prospective, observer-blinded, simulation-based study with repeated measures. It aims to evaluate DLT placement performance using standardized airway simulation models. All anesthesiology residents working in the Department of Anesthesiology and Reanimation at Ankara Atatürk Sanatorium Training and Research Hospital will be invited to participate on a voluntary basis (total of 33 participants). Written informed consent will be obtained from all participants. Anesthesiology residents with varying levels of experience will be included voluntarily. Participants will be stratified based on years of residency training and the number of prior DLT placements performed. Airway simulation will be conducted using high-fidelity airway manikins equipped with bronchial anatomy modules. Intubation will be performed using a 37 Fr DLT. Simulation platforms with fiberoptic verification capability will be utilized. Prior to data collection, participants will receive standardized training on DLT placement.

Video-guided Versus Conventional Right-sided Double-Lumen Tubes for One-Lung Ventilation in Thoracoscopic Surgery

This multicentre randomised controlled trial compares a video-guided right-sided double-lumen tube with a conventional right-sided double-lumen tube in adults undergoing elective thoracoscopic surgery requiring one-lung ventilation. The video-guided tube incorporates an integrated camera that provides continuous airway visualisation during initial placement and intraoperative monitoring. Participants will be randomly assigned in a 1:1 ratio to receive one of the two tubes. Final tube position after initial placement will be confirmed by fibreoptic bronchoscopy in both groups. During one-lung ventilation, additional fibreoptic bronchoscopy will be performed only when clinically indicated or according to predefined rescue criteria. The primary outcome is successful initial right-sided double-lumen tube placement. Secondary outcomes include right upper-lobe bronchial obstruction, intraoperative tube displacement, hypoxemia during one-lung ventilation, requirement for rescue fibreoptic bronchoscopy, time to satisfactory tube positioning, quality of operative lung collapse, and the number of intraoperative tube repositioning events. Participants and outcome assessors will remain blinded to treatment allocation, whereas the anaesthesiologist performing intubation cannot be blinded because of the distinct visual and operational characteristics of the two devices. The study aims to determine whether continuous airway visualisation improves the effectiveness and stability of right-sided double-lumen tube management during thoracoscopic surgery.

C-MAC Blade D Video Vs Macintosh Laryngoscope for Double Lumen Tube Insertion

The goal of this clinical trial is to know which type of laryngoscope is better for Double Lumen Tube (DLT) insertion, in participants undergoing elective thoracic surgeries. The main question aim to answer is Is C-MAC blade D video laryngoscope better than Macintosh laryngoscope for DLT insertion in term of time taking for intubation and hemodynamic changes to laryngoscopy? Researchers are comparing two groups of participants * Participants in Group A are receiving intubation from C-MAC blade D video laryngoscope. * Participants in Group B are receiving intubations from Macintosh laryngoscope.