The effects of video double-lumen tubes on intubation complications in patients undergoing thoracic surgery: A randomised controlled study

Background: Tracheal injuries, vocal cord injuries, sore throat and hoarseness are common complications of double-lumen tube (DLT) intubation.

Objective: This study aimed to evaluate the effects of 'video double-lumen tubes' (VDLTs) on intubation complications in patients undergoing thoracic surgery.

Design: A randomised controlled study.

Settingt: Xuzhou Cancer Hospital, Xuzhou, China, from January 2023 to June 2023.

Patients: One hundred eighty-two patients undergoing elective thoracic surgery with one-lung ventilation were randomised into two groups: 90 in the DLT group and 92 in the VDLT group.

Intervention: VDLT was selected for intubation in the VDLT group, and DLT was selected for intubation in the DLT group. A fibreoptic bronchoscope (FOB) was used to record tracheal and vocal cord injuries.

Main outcome measures: The primary outcomes were the incidence of moderate-to-severe tracheal injury and the incidence of vocal cord injury. The secondary outcomes included the incidence and severity of postoperative 24 and 48 h sore throat and hoarseness.

Results: The incidence of moderate-to-severe tracheal injury was 32/90 (35.6%) in the DLT group, and 45/92 (48.9%) in the VDLT group ( P = 0.077; relative risk 1.38, 95% CI, 0.97 to 1.95). The incidence of vocal cord injury was 31/90 (34.4%) and 34/92 (37%) in the DLT and VDLT groups, respectively ( P = 0.449). The incidence of postoperative 24 h sore throat and hoarseness was significantly higher in the VDLT group than in the DLT group (for sore throat: P = 0.032, relative risk 1.63, 95% CI, 1.03 to 2.57; for hoarseness: P = 0.018, relative risk 1.48, 95% CI, 1.06 to 2.06).

Conclusion: There was no statistically significant difference in the incidence of moderate-to-severe tracheal injury and vocal cord injury between DLTs and VDLTs. While improving the first-attempt success rate, intubation with VDLT increased the incidence of postoperative 24 h sore throat and hoarseness.

Trial registration: Chinese Clinical Trial Registry identifier: ChiCTR2300067348.