One-lung ventilation is frequently required in thoracic surgery and is most commonly achieved using double-lumen endobronchial tubes (DLTs). Correct positioning of the DLT is crucial for effective lung isolation and patient safety. Fiberoptic bronchoscopy (FOB) is considered the gold standard for confirming DLT placement; however, it may not always be immediately available and requires specific expertise.
Lung ultrasonography is a rapid, noninvasive, and bedside imaging method increasingly used in anesthesiology and critical care. This prospective observational study aims to evaluate the diagnostic performance of lung ultrasound in confirming the correct position of double-lumen endobronchial tubes in patients undergoing thoracic surgery.
The results obtained from lung ultrasound will be compared with auscultation findings and fiberoptic bronchoscopy results. Fiberoptic bronchoscopy will be considered the reference standard. The sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, and negative predictive value of lung ultrasound and auscultation will be calculated.
Who can participate
Age range
18 Years – 65 Years
Sex
ALL
See this in plain English?
AI-rewrites the medical criteria so a patient or caregiver can understand them. Always confirm with the trial site.
Inclusion Criteria:
* Age between 18 and 65 years
* Scheduled for elective thoracic surgery
* Planned one-lung ventilation
* Use of double-lumen endobronchial tube
* ASA physical status I-III
* Written informed consent obtained
Exclusion Criteria:
* Known airway anomalies
* Previous lung resection surgery
* Tracheostomy
* Coagulopathy
* Pleural effusion or pleural pathology that may interfere with lung ultrasound evaluation
* Chest wall deformity
* Emergency surgery
* Patients who decline participation
Questions worth asking your doctor
Bring these to your next appointment. They're a starting point for a shared conversation — not a sign you qualify or a recommendation to enrol.
1Based on my diagnosis and history, is this trial worth exploring for me — or is there a standard treatment we should try first?
2What does this trial's phase tell us about how much is already known about its safety and benefit?
3What would taking part actually involve for me — visits, tests, time, and travel?
4What are the known and possible risks or side effects I should weigh, and how would they be monitored?
5If this trial isn't the right fit, what other options or trials would you suggest I look into?
Generated to help you prepare — always confirm anything about your own eligibility and care with the study team and your doctor.
Questions for the trial coordinator
The trial coordinator is the person who runs the study day to day. These cover the practical side — logistics, costs, and what taking part would actually mean for your life. The study team confirms whether you meet the criteria; these are questions to ask, not a sign you qualify.
1What does taking part actually involve week to week — how many visits, where, and how long does each one take?
2What costs are covered by the study, and what might I have to pay for myself, including travel, parking, or time off work?
3What happens during screening, and what happens if the study team confirms I don't meet the criteria after those tests?
4Who pays for the scans, blood work, and other tests the trial requires — the study, my insurance, or me?
5How will being in the trial affect my regular care, and will my own doctor stay informed and involved?
6Can I leave the trial at any point if I change my mind, and what would happen to my care if I do?
A starting point for the conversation — always confirm anything about your own eligibility, costs, and care with the study team and your doctor.
What they're measuring
1
Diagnostic accuracy of lung ultrasound for confirmation of double-lumen tube placement
Timeframe: Intraoperative (immediately after DLT placement)