One-Lung Ventilation: A Pediatric Simulation Case for Anesthesiology Residents

INTRODUCTION: This activity is designed for midlevel and senior anesthesia trainees to experience the complexities of one-lung ventilation in pediatrics in a high-fidelity simulated environment. With the use of video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS) becoming increasingly common in pediatrics, we identified this area as an opportunity for the development of a dedicated educational simulation activity. METHODS: Our simulated patient is a 3-year-old girl with empyema presenting for decortication via VATS who subsequently develops hypoxemia. The main challenges for the trainee include airway selection and insertion, lung isolation with fiber optic confirmation, and management of hypoxemia in the setting of one-lung ventilation. A pediatric medical simulator suitable for practicing resuscitation is required, and a tracheobronchial tree model is highly desirable. Basic knowledge of thoracic and pediatric anesthesia is required, but specific experience with pediatric lung isolation is not. RESULTS: Learners who experienced the content of this simulation expressed a strong sentiment of value. All pilot trainees were surveyed and indicated they either agree or strongly agree (4 or 5, respectively, on a 5-point Likert scale) that “This simulation enhanced my understanding of how to select lung isolation devices for pediatric patients” and “This simulation enhanced my understanding of how to manage hypoxia in context in one-lung ventilation.” Comments were overall positive, including “I am better prepared to manage pediatric one lung ventilation cases.” DISCUSSION: At the University of Iowa, this activity is part of a core curriculum of simulation training that resident physicians in anesthesiology experience during their training. It functions as a tool for education, evaluation, and self-identification of weaknesses in the learner's knowledge base as it relates to the perioperative management of pediatric one-lung ventilation, as well as for reinforcing material learned in the classroom and operating room. Numerous anesthesiology residents and faculty have pilot-tested this simulation, and necessary modifications have been made based on their feedback.